U.CL 


THE 


JOURNAL  OF  ISAAC  SENTER, 

PHYSICIAN  AND  SURGEON  TO  THE  TROOPS  DETACHED  FROM 

THE  AMERICAN  ARMY  ENCAMPED  AT 

CAMBRIDGE,    MASS., 

ON  A  SECRET  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  QUEBEC, 


UNDER  THE  COMMAND  OF 


COL.  BENEDICT  ARNOLD, 


IN  SEPTEMBER,  1775. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

1846. 


NOTICE. 

The  desire  to  possess  the  autographs  and  portraits  of  distinguished 
individuals  has  led  to  discoveries  of  great  value  to  history  and  letters,  and 
helped  to  preserve,  particularly  in  a  country  where  the  past  has  had  too 
little  reverence,  the  materials  of  history  itself.  It  is  not  known  how,  or 
why  the  original  manuscript  Journal  of  Dr.  Senter  was  left  in  Philadelphia, 
nor  how  it  came  to  the  hands  of  its  possessor — its  existence  became  known 
in  consequence  of  inquiries  made  by  Dr.  Lewis  Roper,  of  this  city,  who 
wished  to  add  to  his  collection  of  autographs  a  good  specimen  of  the  hand- 
writing of  General  Arnold.  It  was  given  to  him,  that  he  might  extract 
from  it  an  original  note  of  that  officer,  which  the  reader  will  find  printed 
at  page  32.  His  perception  of  the  value  of  the  Journal  induced  him  to 
communicate  it  to  the  Society  by  which  it  is  published,  with  permission 
to  print  it.  It  is  now  given  entire,  and  some  few  references  have  been 
added,  to  other  collections,  which  form  the  scanty  materials  for  a  history 
of  events,  in  which  the  troops  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  maintained 
their  well-earned  reputation  for  endurance  and  valor.  The  circumstances 
connected  with  the  desertion  of  the  expedition  by  Colonel  Enos,  and  the 
return  of  most  of  the  men  of  his  command,  are  very  little  known,  and 
light,  of  some  importance,  is  shed  on  the  subject,  for  the  first  time,  it  is 
believed.  It  is  proper  to  add,  that  the  words  in  brackets  [  ]  are  not  in  the 
original  manuscript,  but  have  been  added  to  complete  the  sense  wherever 
omissions  were  palpable. 

Philadelphia,  April,  1846. 


PREFACE. 

The  following  journal  presents  an  interesting  account  of  the  sufferings  and 
privations  which  were  endured  by  a  detachment  of  troops  under  the  com- 
mand of  Arnold,  on  their  march  from  Cambridge  to  Quebec,  in  the  autumn 
of  the  year  1775,  by  the  route  of  the  Kennebec  and  Chaudiere  rivers.  It  is 
well  known,  that  the  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  co-operate  with  the 
army  under  the  command  of  General  Montgomery,  which  had  previously 
entered  Canada  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  reduced  St.  John's  and 
Montreal,  and  was  preparing  to  march  against  Quebec.  When  it  is  recol- 
lected that  the  country  through  which  this  detachment  then  passed  was 
almost  entirely  a  wilderness,  affording  no  resources  to  the  troops,  it  may  be 
safely  asserted,  that  no  portion  of  our  Revolutionary  History  presents  more 
interesting  features  than  the  incidents  of  this  expedition.  The  patient  en- 
durance of  this  small  body  of  men,  under  the  pressure  of  extraodinary  hard- 
ships, and  the  zeal  manifested  by  those  who  persevered  in  the  undertaking, 
entitle  this  part  of  our  annals  to  a  more  conspicuous  place  in  history  than  it 
has  yet  obtained.  To  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  it  is  the  motive  which 
has  induced  this  publication.  Many  of  the  facts  related  by  the  writer  are  cor- 
roborated in  the  interesting  narrative  of  the  late  Judge  Henry,  of  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  who  bore  a  part  in  the  expedition,  and  which  was  published  by 
his  family  after  his  decease.  Dr.  Isaac  Senter,  was  a  native  of  Londonderry, 
in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  He  was  descended  from  a  respectable  family, 
and  was  born  in  the  year  1753.  He  studied  medicine  at  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,  with  Dr.  Thomas  Moffat,  a  Scotch  physician  of  eminence.  While  pur- 
suing his  studies,  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  arrived.  He  immediate- 
ly joined  the  Rhode  Island  troops,  and  accompanied  them  to  the  camp  of  the 
American  army  at  Cambridge,  in  the  .capacity  of  surgeon.  When  the  or- 
ganization of  the  army  took  place,  his  appointment  was  confirmed,  and  he 
was  ordered  to  the  detachment  under  Arnold.  He  retired  from  the  army  in 
the  year  1779,  and  established  himself  as  a  physician  in  the  town  of  Crans- 
ton, Rhode  Island.  About  this  time  he  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the 
General  Assembly  from  that  town,  and  afterwards  appointed  Surgeon  and 
Physician  General  to  the  State.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Newport,  where 
he  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances, as  almost  all  of  the  old  physicians  had  either  died  or  emigrated 
during  the  war.  He  became  eminent  not  only  as  an  industrious  and  success- 
ful practitioner,  but  also  as  the  author  of  several  essays  on  professional 
subjects,  which  appeared  in  the  medical  publications  of  the  day,  and  added 
greatly  to  his  reputation  at  home  and  in  Europe.  He  was  elected  an  hono- 
rary member  of  the  Medical  and  Chirurgical  Societies  of  Edinburgh  and 
London,  and  an  honorary  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  i-'ociety. 
For  several  years  he  was  President  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  of  Rhode 
Island.  In  person  he  was  tall  and  well  proportioned,  in  address  dignified 
and  popular.  In  the  height  of  his  reputation  and  usefulness  he  was  attacked 
with  a  disorder,  caused  by  the  severity  of  his  professional  labors,  which 
terminated  his  life,  to  the  great  regret  of  his  fellow  citizens,  on  the  21st  day 
of  December,  1799,  at  the  age  of  46  years. 


A  JOURNAL,  &c. 

Cambridge,  Tuesday,  September  13,  1775. 

The  detachment  under  the  command  of  Commandant  Arnold 
had  now  been  under  marching  orders  from  the  1 1th,*  during  which 
time  most  of  the  troops  had  quitted  this  place  by  different  detached 
parties  for  the  more  convenient  marching  and  lodging. 

At  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  left  this  in  company  with  Mr.  Greene 
(my  mate,)  Mr.  Barr,  and  Mr.  Jackson,  when  we  marched,  dis- 
tance from  Cambridge,  seven  miles,  on  our  way  to  NewburyPort. 
Came  up  with  some  part  of  the  army  at  this  place,  and  being- 
pretty  well  tired  with  seven  miles  foot-padding  in  two  hours,  we 
concluded  to  compose  ourselves,  though  with  very  indifferent 
fare. 

Wednesday,  14th. — Finding  the  fleas  and  other  Tory  insects 
not  a  little  free  with  our  property,  we  thought  best  to  decamp 
very  early  this  morn,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Salem,  where  we 
dined  ;  from  thence  to  Old  Ipwich,  where  we  found  very  agree- 
able lodgings,  &c.  By  this  time  our  feet  began  to  be  very  sen- 
sible of  our  undertaking,  and  threatened  an  immediate  excoriation ; 
however,  being  all  in  the  same  predicament,  afforded  a  seeming 
alleviation. 

Thursday,  15th.— We  renewed  our  march  this  morning  by 
sunrise,  and  continued  it  till  half  after  one,  P.  M.,  when  we 
arrived  in  the  town  of  Newbury,  where  I,  with  my  company, 
took  lodgings  at  Mr.  Devenport's,  an  Innholder.  The  rear  of 
the  army  was  now  coming  up,  while  the  transports  were  fitting 
with  all  possible  despatch  for  our  reception.  This  being  a  very 
agreeable  place,  I  spent  my  time  in  a  routine  of  pleasure  ;  how 
ever,  our  residence  was  only  temporary,  and  all  things  being 
ready  for  our  embarcation,  we  left  a  most  beautiful  town  and  its 
brave  generous  inhabitants  the  19th. 

Tuesday,  19th. — Transports  being  now  in  readiness,  we  were 
ordered  to  embark  this  morning  by  9  o'clock.  Our  fleet  con- 
sisted of  11  sail  of  shipping,  sloops  and  schooners,  containing, 
upon  an  average,  100  troops,  as  our  army  consisted  of  1100 
men,  officers  included.!  Got  under  way  immediately,  and  all  got 

*  Henry's  Campaign,  p.  16.  Meig's  Journal,  vol.  2.  Coll.  Mass.  Hist.  Soc. 
p.  227,  (id  series.) 

f  Henry's  Campaign,  p.  17.  Ten  companies  of  musketmen,  and  three  com- 
panies of  riflemen.  Meigs's  Journ.  vol.  2,  (2d  ser.)  Coll.  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  p. 
228.  Allen's  Journ.,  1  vol.  Coll.  Maine  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  1.  p.  388,  contains  a 
statement  of  the  officers  and  volunteers  of  the  expedition.  Arnold's  instructions 
are  to  be  found,  Wash.  Writ.  vol.  3,  p.  86. 

2 


6 

safe  over  the  bar,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  except  one  of  the 
transports,  which  was  brought  up  on  the  shoals,  and  detained-  us 
till  nigh  three  in  the  afternoon.  Tide  making  in  her  favor,  she 
got  under  way,  and  enabled  us  all  to  proceed  to  Cenebec  R. 
The  vessel  I  was  desired  to  go  on  board  of  was  the  Broad  Bay,  a 
topsail  schooner,  in  company  of  our  colonel  commandant,  Mr. 
Spring,  [the]  Chaplain,  and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen, several  of 
which  were  volunteers  of  distinction.  Our  commandant  now  be- 
came Commodore  of  the  Squadron,  and  after  preparing  signals, 
and  distributing  them  to  each  captain  of  the  respective  transports, 
we  pushed  for  Cenebec  River.  Nothing  extraordinary  occur- 
red during  our  passage;  had  that  evening  heavy  wind  with  con- 
siderable rain,  this  bringing  on  a  swell,  occasioned  most  of  the 
troops  to  disgorge  themselves  of  their  luxuries  so  plentifully  laid 
in  ere  we  embarked. 

Wednesday  20. — This  morning  brought  the  mouth  of  the  Ce- 
nebec River  in  sight  half  an  hour  after  sunrise.  The  wind  and 
rain  continued  exceeding  hard,  and  with  much  difficulty  we  enter- 
ed the  river;  however,  we  finally  got  in  and  came  to  an  anchor 
about  a  mile  up  the  river.  Went  on  shore  with  the  gentlemen, 
got  some  fresh  beef,  &c.  Here  we  waited  till  five  in  the  afternoon 
for  the  other  transports  to  arrive,  but  being  separated  the  preced- 
ing night  in  the  gale  of  wind,  many  fell  much  to  leeward.  We 
now  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Parker's  flats,  where  we  came  to 
an  anchor  this  night. 

Thursday  21. — Several  of  the  transports  that  were  missing 
came  up  with  us  last  night,  and  early  this  morning.  Weighed 
and  proceeded  up  the  river,  distance  unknown. 

Friday  22. — No  extraordinary  occurrence  this  day,  except  our 
pilots  running  us  on  the  shoals,  which  detained  us  a  considera- 
ble time.  Passed  through  a  very  narrow  part  of  the  river  which 
iv as  very  rapid,  called  Hell  Gate.  Passed  Pownalborough  ere 
we  arrived  at  Gardner's  Town,  where  a  number  of  battoes  were 
preparing  for  our  reception  after  the  transports  became  useless. 
These  were  not  quite  finished.  Came  to  an  anchor,  where  we 
tarried  till  the  remainder  of  the  transports  came  up.  Two  of 
which  were  drove  to  leeward  down  to  Sheeps-Gup  River,  so  call- 
ed, and  came  up  to  us  by  way  of  Townsend.  The  Broad  Bay 
now  weighed,  and  proceeded  up  to  Fort  Western,  leaving  a  num- 
ber of  of  men  behind  to  bring  up  the  batteaux. 

Sulurdfty  23. — Wind  being  unfavourable,  we  were  not  able  to 
arrive  at  Fort  Western  last  evening.  This  morn  I  quitted  the 
B.  Bay,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  by  land.  The  distance  being 
only  five  miles  to  F.  W.,  though  most  of  the  way  was  destitute 
of  any  road.  Arrived  at  F.  Western  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. We  were  now  come  to  a  Rapid  in  the  river,  beyond  which 
our  transports  could  not  pass,  nor  could  they  all  get  up  as  far  as 


this.  Most  of  them  were  left  at  Garden's  Town,  where  the  bat- 
teaux  vveru  bmlt,  and  the  troops  disembarked  from  them  into  the 
batteaux,  except  those  who  were  obliged  to  take  land  carriage. 
The  batteaux  were  made  of  green  pine  boards,  which  render- 
ed them  somewhat  heavy.  The  troops  were  now  corning  up  to 
this  fast,  with  the  batteaux,  provisions,  &c.  Head  Quarters  were 
at  Esq.  Howard's,  an  exceeding  hospitable,  opulent,  polite,  family. 

Sunday  24. — Early  this  morning  was  called  to  attend  a  wound- 
ed soldier,  who  was  shot  through  the  body  last  night  by  a  mali- 
cious drunken  fellow  belonging  to  the  army.  The  hemorrhage 
was  great  inwardly,  which  soon  occasioned  his  death.  From  the 
mouth  of  Cennebec  river  to  F.  Western  46  computed  miles. 

Monday  25. — This  morning  search  being  made  for  the  fellow  who 
was  imagined  tobe  the  murderer — found  and  condemned  by  a  court 
martial  to  hang.*  This  evening  Capt.  Morgan  marched  up  the  river 
with  a  division  of  the  riflemen.  The  rest  of  the  army  had  now  got 
very  nigh  in  readiness  to  march.  The  number  of  batteaux  were 
about  one  hundred.  To  each  of  them  a  select  number  of  batteaux 
men  were  ordered,  in  general  about  5  per  boat.  In  these  all  the 
provisions  were  put,  tents  and  camp  equipage,  &c.,  all  excepting 
what  was  necessary  for  that  party  who  went  by  land.  This 
number  (as  nigh  as  I  could  guess,)  amounted  to  about  600. 
Among  which  watermen.  I  had  the  honor  to  command  one 
batteaux,  in  care  of  all  the  medical  stores,  &c.  My  mate,  Mr. 
Greene,  being  sick  of  a  dysentery,  was  obliged  to  leave  him  be- 
hind. 

Tuesday  26. — This  morning  at  10,  left  F.  Western  in  com- 
pany with  Lieut.  Col.  Greene,  Mr.  Burr,  and  several  other  gen- 
tlemen, and  intrusted!  by  batteaux  in  the  care  of  my  hands. 
Lodged  within  five  miles  of  Fort  Halifax,  at  Mr.  Hobby's  ;  noth- 
ing material  transpiring  this  day.  All  the  army  was  in  motion  by 
land  and  water,  though  somewhat  scattering,  the  better  to  faci- 
liate  our  march. 

Wednesday  27. — Q,uit  our  lodgings  at  10  in  the  morn,  and  ar- 
rived at  Fort  Halifaxat  12.  This  appeared  a  very  pleasant  prospect; 
some  few  inhabitants,  though  not  many,  are  settled  round  this 
place.  Was  invited  by  Mr.  Howard,  an  inhabitant  who  lived  up 
a  small  river  which  emptied  into  Cennebec,  close  by  the  fort, 
forming-  a  point  between  the  two  rivers  which  the  fort  stood  upon. 
According  to  invitation,  went  up  the  little  river  called  Sabasticuck, 
distance  from  the  fort,  four  miles.  From  Fort  Western  to  Fort 
Halifax,  18  computed  miles.  At  this  time  several  of  our  army 
were  much  troubled  with  the  dysentery,  diarrhea,  &c. 

Thursday  28. — This  morning  I  returned  to  the  fort  from  my 

*  See  Arnold's  Letter,  Coll.  Maine  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  1,  p.  357",  for  an  account 
of  this  occurrence, 
f  Sic,  orig. 


s 

lodgings  up  the  little  river,  but  finding  the  rear  of  the  army  not 
yet  arrived,  I  betook  myself  back  to  my  last  night's  lodging,  where 
I  fared  exceeding  well.  Col.  Arnold  was  now  in  the  rear  of  the 
army. 

Friday  29. — In  search  of  the  army,  I  again  came  down  to 
the  fort,  but  the  rear  not  coming  up,  I  returned  again  to  my  hos- 
pitable lodgings.  During  all  this  time  the  batteaux  were  coming 
up  and  going  over  the  falls.  These  falls  are  called  Tacunnick. 
The  rapid  water  is  the  distance  of  about  half  a  mile,  past  which 
all  our  batteaux,  camp  equipage,  &c.,  was  carried  by  hand. 
By  this  time  several  of  our  batteaux  began  to  leak  profusely, 
made  of  green  pine,  and  that  in  the  most  slight  manner.  Water 
being  shoal  and  rocks  plenty,  with  a  very  swift  current  most  of 
the  way.  soon  ground  out  many  of  the  bottoms. 

Saturday  30. — Ere  this,  my  batteau  had  arrived  at  the  fort, 
in  such  a  shattered  condition,  that  I  was  obliged  to  purchase 
another,  or  not  proceed  by  water  without  destroying  my  medi- 
cines, stores,  &c.  I  purchased  a  more  portable  well  built  one, 
seasoned,  &c.,  fit  for  the  business,  for  which  I  gave  four  dollars. 
This  day  I  received  orders  to  proceed,  as  the  rear  of  the  army 
had  arrived  at  the  fort.  I  accordingly  engaged  Mr.  Howard's 
team,  put  my  bark,  freight,  &c.,  on  board  his  cart,  and  carried  it 
from  his  house  over  across  the  land  to  Cenebec. 

Sunday,  Oct.  1. — I  was  now  seven  miles  above  Fort  Halifax, 
and  for  the  first  time  encamped  upon  the  ground,  the  last  evening. 
Morgan's  division  were  still  forward.  Herein  my  little  rural  hut 
I  received  orders  this  morning  to  tarry  till  Col.  Enos'  division 
came  up.  Col.  Greene  commanded  one  battalion  and  Col.  Enos 
the  other,  both  Lieut.  Cols.  Boats  were  now  continually  passing 
by  us  when  I  impatiently  waited  the  coming  of  the  last  division. 
My  boat's  crew  consisted  of  three  Englishmen,  sailors,  one  old 
Swiss,  and  a  young  Scotchman,  a  deserter  from  the  British  army 
at  Boston  ;  as  indeed  all  the  rest  were  deserters  from  them 
at  different  places.  This  day  I  spent  in  marching  up  and  down 
the  river  to  see  the  progress  of  the  army  passing  the  rapids.  The 
river  for  about  two  miles  was  exceeding  swift,  water  shoal, 
&c.  Every  batteaux  crew  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  water. 
Some  to  the  painter,  and  others  heaving  at  the  stern.  In  these 
rapids  the  water  was  in  general  waistband  high.  With  their 
united  efforts,  the  stream  was  so  violent  as  many  times  to  drive 
them  back  after  ten  or  twelve  fruitless  attempts  in  pulling  and 
heaving  with  the  whole  boats  crew.* 

Monday  2. — Yet  was  1  in  possession  of  my  little  hut,  waiting 
for  the  rear  division.  When  an  express  came  from  up  the  river 
about  nine  miles  in  quest  of  my  going  to  see  a  sick  soldier. 

•Henry's  Campaign,  p.  31. 


Upon  which  I  concluded  to  quit  my  habiation  and  proceed  up 
along.  Rapids  obliged  us  to  fall  short  about  4  miles,  where  we 
lodged  at  one  McCrackts. 

Tuesday  3. — Procee  ded  early  this  morning  up  to  my  patient ; 
found  him  at  one  Mr.  H'o  ward's,  where  were  numbers  of  the  army 
The  water  now  grew  very  rapid,  three  miles  above  was  the  falls 
called  by  the  name  of  Wassarunskeig,  ere  we  came  to  these  falls. 
The  river  formed  an  elbow,  across  which  there  was  a  carrying 
place. 

This  I  passed  over,  to  view  the  falls,  though  did  not  move  my 
baggage,  &c.,  till  next  day.  The  rear  division  was  still  behind'. 

Wednesday  4. — As  the  rapids  afforded  but  a  tedious  route  of 
three  miles  by  water  round,  I  chose  rather  to  take  the  advantage  of 
the  carrying  places  which  was  two  and  a  half  miles  only,  according- 
ly I  had  boat  and  baggage  carried  over  by  land  to  the  foot  of  the 
falls>  where  we  were  obliged  to  put  in  and  cross  over  the  opposite 
side,  ere  we  could  carry  by  the  falls.  These  were  a  very  high  water 
fall,  and  exceeding  difficult  carrying  by.  After  backing  all  the 
boats,  provisions,  camp  equipage,  &c.,  over,  we  again  advanced 
up  the  river.  Not  far  had  we  advanced  ere  we  came  to  a  fall 
called  Scunkhegon.  With  a  great  deal  of  difficulty  we  passed 
this,  but  not  without  coming  very  nigh  losing  one  of  my  hands. 
After  passing  these,  I  proceeded  about  half  a  mile  and  tented. 

Thursday  5. — We  were  now  within  about  four  and  a  halfmiles 
of  Norrigewalk,  where  I  left  the  charge  of  my  batteaux  to  my 
lads,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  by  land,  till  within  about  half  a 
mile,  where  I  contracted  with  a  couple  of  savages  who  followed 
the  army,  to  take  charge  of  the  boat,  in  consequence  of  the  water 
growing  exceeding  rapid.  They  conducted  her  safe  to  the  foot 
of  the  Norrigewalk  fall,  where  they  were  (that  is  the  batteauxs) 
all  haul'd  up.  We  had  now  a  number  of  teams  employed  in  con- 
veying the  batteaux,  provisions,  camp  equipage,  &c.,  over  this 
carrying  place.  By  this  time,  many  of  our  batteaux  were  noth- 
ing but  wrecks,  some  stove  to  pieces,  6cc.  The  carpenters  were 
employed  in  repairing  them,  while  the  restof  the  army  were  busy 
in  carrying  over  the  provisions,  &c.  A  quantity  of  dry  cod  fish, 
by  this  time  was  received,  as  likewise  a  number  of  barrels  of  dry 
bread.  The  fish  lying  loose  in  the  batteaux,  and  being  contin- 
ually washed  Avith  the  fresh  water  running  into  the  batteaux. 
The  bread  casks  not  being  water-proof,  admitted  the  water  in 
plenty,  swelled  the  bread,  burst  the  casks,  as  well  as  soured  the 
whole  bread.  The  same  fate  attended  a  number  of  fine  casks  of 
peas.  These  with  the  others  were  condemned.  We  were  nov? 
curtailed  of  a  very  valuable  and  large  part  of  our  provisions,  ere 
we  had  entered  the  wilderness,  or  left  the  inhabitants.  Our  fare 
was  now  reduced  to  salt  pork  and  flour.  Beef  we  had  once  now 
and  then,  when  we  could  purchase  a  fat  creature,  but  that  was 

2* 


10 

seldom.  A  few  barrels  of  salt  beef  remained  on  hand,  but  of  so 
indifferent  quality,  as  scarce  to  be  eaten,  being  killed  in  the  heat 
of  summer,  took  much  damage  after  salting,  that  rendered  it  not 
only  very  unwholesome,  but  very  unpalatable. 

Friday,  6th. — Several  of  our  army  continued  to  be  troubled 
with  the  dysentery,  of  which  disease,  Capt.  Williams,  a  gentle- 
man from  Connecticut,  came  nigh  to  lose  his  life.  Continued 
getting  over  provisions,  &c.  Weather  mostly  cloudy  and  con- 
siderable reign. 

Saturday,  7th. — We  were  still  at  Norrigewalk,  where  was  now 
most  of  the  army.  By  a  council  of  the  officers,  it  was  thought 
advisable  to  send  letters  into  Gluebec,  informing  some  gentlemen, 
of  that  city  of  our  movements,  &c.  After  the  despatches  were 
wrote  it  was  concluded  to  send  one  Mr.  Jackquith,  inhabitant  of 
this  river  and  native  of  Germany,  who  spoke  the  French  language, 
in  company  with  two  Penobscot  Indians,  by  name  Sabattis  and 
Enneos,*  who  were  well  acquainted  with  the  wilderness  through, 
as  well  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  where  they  were  going. 
Accordingly  they  were  dispatched  in  a  bark  canoe,  taking  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  provisions  for  the  purpose. 

Sunday,  8th. — Our  provisions  were  now  all  over,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  we  should  j^have]  de- 
campt.  No  occurrences  of  note  this  day. 

Monday,  9th. — Early  this  morn  we  were  all  in  motion,  and  bid 
good  bye  to  old  Norrigewalk.  I  ordered  my  lads  on  board  of  the 
batteaux,  and  took  foot  bail.  We  proceeded  up  the  river  to  the 
7  mile  stream,  so  called,  which  was  about  six  miles  from  our  last 
stage.  Swift  current — made  but  poor  speed — exceeding  load. 
After  coming  to  the  7  mile  stream,  I  betook  myself  to  my  boat, 
and  continued  our  progress  about  three  miles  further,  where  we 
encamped.  Much  indisposed  this  day. 

Tuesday,  10th. — We  were  under  way  early  this  morning. 
Sometimes  was  in  my  boat,  at  others  on  the  land.  Arrived  at 
the  very  high  waterfall  called  Caratuncah,  between  2  and  3  o'clock, 
P.  M.  Thirteen  miles  from  Norrigewalk.  Past  these  by  land 
carriage  ;  only  about  forty-six  rood.  Then  came  to  our  encamp- 
ment a  mile  above  them.  Rapid  water  all  this  day,  with  exceed- 
ing fine  soil  and  a  beautiful  growth  of  timber. 

Wednesday,  llth. — Decamped  at  our  usual  time,  viz.,  at  the 
rising  sun.  Continued  my  march  mostly  by  land  this  day.  The 
water  still  continued  very  rapid.  Our  army  were  now  scattered 
up  and  down  the  road  at  the  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  miles.  At 
7  in  the  evening  we  quit  the  water  and  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
procured  a  fire.  Sprung  our  tents  and  made  an  exceeding  lux- 
urious bed  with  the  blue  joint  grass,  which  this  river  land  pro- 
duces in  great  plenty,  not  less  than  five  or  six  feet  high. 

*Hcnry's  Campaign,  p.  32  to  35. 


11 

Thursday,  12th. — Our  next  stage  we  had  in  view  was  the  Great 
Carrying  Place,  where  with  the  greatest  difficulty  we  arrived  half 
after  four,  P.  M.  The  distance  of  this  day's  march  we  judged  at 
twelve  miles.  The  water  mostly  very  rapid.  Here  I  found  most 
of  the  army,  who  had  chiefly  crossed  the  carrying  place.  We 
were  now  three  days  march  into  the  wilderness,  from  any  im- 
provements whatsoever.  I  left  my  lads  in  care  of  my  boat, 
baggage,  &c.,  and  proceeded  over  the  land  in  quest  of  our  Com- 
mander. Came  to  the  first  pond  or  lake,  and  found  he  had  crossed 
that.  I  then  continued  my  course  after  him,  when  I  found  him 
encamped  just  over  the  lake,  and  found  he  had  crossed  that.  I 
then  continued  my  course  after  him,  where  1  continued  with  him 
that  night. 

Friday,  13th.  This  morning  returned  immediately  back  to  my 
boat  and  only  got  part  of  my  baggage  over.  The  pioneers,  who 
had  made  the  road  as  it  was  through  the  woods  to  the  first  pond, 
were  now  gone  forward  in  their  business.  Brought  over  part  of 
my  things,  where  I  took  up  my  lodgings  again  at  the  same  place 
as  last  night.* 

Saturday,  14th. — Returned  again  to  my  boat,  and  continued 
carrying  over  the  remainder  with  all  possible  speed.  The  army 
was  now  much  fatigued,  being  obliged  to  carry  all  the  batteaus, 
barrels  of  provisions,  warlike  stores,  &c.,  over  on  their  backs 
through  a  most  terrible  piece  of  woods  conceivable.  Sometimes 
in  the  mud  knee  deep,  then  over  ledjjy  hills,  &c.  The  distance 
was  three  and  three-quarter  miles.  Was  obliged  to  encamp  be- 
tween the  river  and  pond,  not  being  able  to  get  quite  over  with 
the  last  load  t 

Sunday,  15th. — This  day  I  got  over  all  my  affairs  to  the  second 
portage,  where  I  was  obliged  to  tarry  till  the  rear  of  the  army 
came  up.  Many  of  us  were  now  in  a  sad  plight  with  the  diarrhoea. 
Our  water  was  of  the  worst  quality.  The  lake  was  low,  sur- 
rounded with  mountains,  situate  in  a  low  morass.  Water  was 
quite  yellow.  With  this  we  were  obliged  not  only  to  do  all  our 
cooking,  but  use  it  as  our  constant  drink.  Nor  would  a  little  of 
it  suffice,  as  we  were  obliged  to  eat  our  meat  exceeding  salt. 
This  with  our  constant  fatigue  called  for  large  quantities  of  drink. 
No  sooner  had  it  got  down  than  it  was  puked  up  by  many  of  the 
poor  fellows. 

Monday,  16th. — We  now  found  it  necessary  to  erect  a  build- 
ing for  the  reception  of  our  sick,  who  had  now  increased  to  a  very 
formidable  number,  A  block  house  was  erected  and  christened 

*Arnold's  Journ.,  p.  211;  Knapp's  Life  of  Burr.  The  letter  is  to  be  found, 
1  Maine  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  p.  359.  The  person  to  whom  it  was  addressed  de- 
livered it  to  the  Lieut.  Governor,  and  the  English  had  notice  of  the  apppoach  of 
the  Americans. 

f  Arnold's  Journ.,  p.  213  Knapp's  Life  of  Burr. 


12 

by  the  name  of  Arnold's  Hospital,  and  no  sooner  finished  than 
filled.  Not  far  from  this 'was  a  small  bush  hut  provisionally  con- 
structed by  Morgan's  division  of  riflemen,  who  were  gone  forward. 
In  this  they  left  a  young  gentleman  by  name  Irvin,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  brought  up  a  physician  in  that  city,*  and  serving  as 
an  ensign  in  the  company  under  Capt.  Morgan.  The  case  of 
this  young  gentleman  was  truly  deplorable.  In  the  first  of  our 
march  from  Cambridge,  he  was  tormented  with  a  disentery,  for 
which  he  never  paid  any  medical  attention.  When  he  came  to 
wading  in  the  water  every  day,  then  lodging  on  the  ground  at 
night,  it  kept  him  in  a  most  violent  rheumatism  I  ever  saw,  not 
able  to  help  himself  any  more  than  a  new  born  infant,  every 
joint  in  his  extremities  inflexible  and  swelled  to  an  enormous 
size.  Much  in  the  same  condition  was  Mr.  Jackson  of  the  same 
company,  and  Mr.  Greene,  rny  mate.  The  last  of  whom  was  left 
at  Fort  Western.  All  these  three  gentlemen  were  afflicted  with 
the  same  disease  during  the  beginning  of  our  march,  nor  would 
arguments  prevail  on  them  to  use  any  medicine.  Flattered  as 
they  were  that  nature  would  relieve  them,  yet  they  for  once  were 
mistaken. 

Tuesday,  17th.— By  this,  the  remainder  of  the  army  had  now 
come  up,  in  consequence  of  which  I  quitmy  hospital  business  and 
proceeded  with  them  where  I  left  poor  Dr.  Irvin,  with  all  the 
necessaries  of  life  I  could  impart  to  him.  He  was  allowed  4 
men  of  his  company  to  wait  upon  him,  but  as  they'd  nothing  to 
do  with,  they  could  be  of  little  service,  except  keeping  him  a  good 
fire,  turning  him  when  weary,  &e.  His  situation  was  most 
wretched,  overrun  with  vermin,  unable  to  help  [himself]  in  the  least 
thing,  attended  constantly  with  the  most  violent  pain.  And 
in  fine,  laboured  under  every  inconvenience  possible. 

Wednesday,  18th. — In  our  course  yesterday  we  had  got  to  the 
third  pond  where  we  encamped,  and  early  this  morning  we  pur- 
sued the  army  and  crossed  the  third  and  last  pond.  These  abound 
with  excellent  large  trout  in  great  plenty,  of  which  we  caught 
several,  which  was  no  small  help  to  us.  This  day  Major  Bige- 
low  with  27  men  returned  from  an  advanced  party  in  quest  of 
provisions,  and  informed  us  that  they  were  destitute  in  the  front. 
Crossed  this  lake,  leaving  my  boat,  &c.,  behind.  This  was  a 
very  beautiful  situation  for  the  wilderness,  a  large  mountain  bor- 
dering boldly  on  the  N.  W.,  with  more  at  a  greater  distance  in 
the  South,  and  S.  W.  The  computed  distance  over  this  lake  was 
four  miles. 

Thursday,  19th. — The  rear  of  the  army  were  now  busily  en- 
gaged in  coming  up,f  and  crossing  this  lake.  Maj.  Bigelow  re- 
turned to  the  front  with  obtaining  only  a  sufficiency  to  reconcile 

*  Sic,  orig. 

\  Henry's  Campaign,  p.  53. 
2 


13 

the  foremost  detachment,  till  the  rear  could  get  up  with  them. 
After  getting  my  boat,  baggage,  &c.,  to  this  great  carrying  place, 
which  was  late  in  the  afternoon,  I  with  my  lads  took  a  load  and 
went  over  in  search  of  a  small  rivulet  which  would  conduct  us  to 
the  Dead  River.  This  riTer  is  so  called  from  its  almost  seeming 
stagnant  water.  This  carrying  place  was  four  miles,  as  comput- 
ed, two  and  a  half  miles  of  which  ascending  till  we  rose  to  a 
great  height,  then  a  sudden  descent  into  a  tedious  spruce  and 
cedar  swamp,  bog  mire  half  knee  high,  which  completed  the  other 
mile  and  half.  Not  being  able  to  bring  the  whole  of  my  equip- 
age over  this  day,  I  sent  my  lads  back  to  the  remainder  and  con- 
tinued at  the  small  rivulet  myself,  making  the  harbor  possible 
under  the  lee  of  my  batteau,  without  any  other  covering]  al- 
though a  severe  rain  storm.  This  was  a  small  serpentine,  coming 
undoubtedly  out  of  some  heighth  of  land  we  had  just  passed, 
running  a  northerly  course.  Much  deeper  than  wide,  in  most 
places  the  width  did  not  exceed  twelve  feet.  Surrounded  with 
low  meadow  whose  grass  was  very  plenty. 

Friday,  20th. — My  lads  with  the  remainder  of  the  baggage  ar- 
rived early  this  morning.  I  crawled  out  from  under  my  topsy- 
turned  boat,  ordered  her  launched,  and  boarded,  proceeding  down 
our  water  labyrinth  into  the  Dead  River,  which  was  distant  from 
this  about  three  qnarters  of  a  mile.  Still  continued  to  rain  ex- 
ceeding hard.  I  had  almost  forgot  to  mention  the  sufferings  of  a 
poor  ox,  who  had  continued  the  march  with  us,  through  all  our 
difficulty,  to  this  day.  He  was  drove  by  two  men  whose  business 
it  was  to  get  him  along  as  fast  as  the  army  marched.  That  when- 
ever we  came  to  a  pond  or  lake  he  was  drove  round  it.  Rivers 
and  small  streams  he  swam  and  forded  without  any  difficulty. 
Being  in  the  front  of  the  army,  he  was  ordered  to  fall  a  victim 
two  miles  up  the  Dead  River,  and  each  man  to  receive  a  pound 
as  they  passed.  This  was  a  very  agreeable  repast,  as  we  had 
been  principally  upon  salt  for  twelve  days,  and  that  scanty.  After 
drawing  the  rations  for  myself  and  boats'  crews,  we  proceeded 
up  a  small  distance;  sprung  our  tent  upon  the  bank  and  went  to 
cooking.  As  the  storm  of  rain  and  wind  continued  to  increase, 
and  being  forward  of  the  main  body  of  the  army,  I  concluded  to 
fix  there  for  the  day.  In  the  meantime  we  prepared  our  fishing 
apparatus  and  made  search  for  the  trout,  which  we  found  in  plenty 
of  a  large  size,  and  excellent  quality.  With  these  we  made  a 
most  luxurious  supper,  having  received  a  few  potatoes  and  carrots 
which  I  procured  of  my  benefactor,  Mr.  Howard,  up  the  little 
river  Sebasticuck  aforesaid,  and  to  complete  the  dish,  I  was  ob- 
liged to  draw  forth  my  small  butter  box  containing  about  half  a 
dozen  pounds,  which  I  kept  closely  concealed  in  my  medicine 
chest,  anticipating  in  some  measure  the  condition  were  coming  to. 
Many  of  the  army  passed  us  this  day. 


14 

Saturday,  21  st — Found  it  necessary  this  morning  to  decamp  as 
early  as  possible.  Wind  S.  S.  W.  The  storm  had  increased 
excessively,  and  had  now  raised  the  river  to  a  quick  running  cur- 
rent.* However,  all  made  very  good  way  against  it,  and  as  the 
storm  and  stream  argmented,  we  thought  it  best  not  to  quit  the 
boat  for  any  repast  till  we  put  up  for  the  night.  Carried  by  one 
waterfall  only  this  day.  The  wind  increased  to  an  almost  hurri- 
cane the  latter  part  of  the  day.  The  trees  tumbling  on  all  quar- 
ters that  rendered  our  passage  not  only  exceeding  difficult,  but 
very  dangerous.  At  sunset  we  arrived  at  the  encampment  of 
Col.  Greene  and  his  division,  who  were  waiting  for  provisions 
ere  they  could  proceed.  As  the  wind  continued  very  heavy,  the 
danger  of  encamping  among  the  trees  was  thought  great.  Flow- 
ever,  we  selected  the  most  open  place  we  could  find,  and  then 
pitched  our  tent,  and  with  a  great  deal  of  difficulty  procured  a 
fire  by  about  [8~]  in  the  evening,  which,  however,  was  of  little  use 
to  us,  as  not  desiring  to  be  in  the  tent  on  account  of  the  continued 
fall  of  trees.  Storm  abated  about  12  o'clock,  and  the  weather 
became  fair,  after  which  I  obtained  a  little  rest,  though  in  Bal- 
neum Frigidum. 

Sunday,  22d. — We  were  in  motion  this  morning  by  light. 
Several  of  our  batteaux  were  now  under  water  almost  out  of 
sight,  in  consequence  of  the  rivers  rising.  From  a  Dead  river  it 
had  now  become  live  enough.  The  rise  of  the  water  in  this  storm, 
was  computed  at  10  feet.  This  sudden  alteration  in  the  river  not 
only  impeded  our  water  carriage,  but  rendered  the  marching  of 
the  party  by  land  of  the  utmost  difficulty,  as  the  river  was  no 
longer  confined  to  her  banks,  but  extended  in  many  low,  flat 
places,  a  mile  or  more  each  way  upon  the  upland.  Added  to 
this,  all  the  small  rivulets  (and  they  were  not  few)  were  swelled 
to  an  enormous  size,  as  obliged  the  land  party  to  trace  them  up 
for  many  miles  till  a  narrow  part  offered,  and  then  could  only 
cross  by  felling  large  trees  over  them.  This  day  for  the  first 
time  I  was  obliged  to  come  on  half  allowance,  as  the  advanced 
party  had  been  for  several  days.  •  Our  progression  was  exceed- 
ing gradual  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  the  waters,  that  in  many 
places  we  could  only  advance  by  one  lying  on  the  bow  of  the  boat, 
pulling  with  his  hands  by  the  small  bushes,  while  others  proceed- 
ed upon  the  bank,  holding  on  by  the  painter.  'Lieut.  Humph- 
reys with  his  whole  boat's  crew  were  overturned,  lost  every 
thing  except  their  lives,  with  which  they  escaped  very  unexpec- 
tedly. 

Monday,  23d. — The  number  of  batteaux  were  now  much  de- 
creased. Some  stove  to  pieces  against  the  banks,  while  others 
became  so  excessive  leaky  as  obliged  us  to  condemn  them.  This 


•Arnold's  Journal,  Knapp's  Life  of  Burr,  p.  215. 


increased  our  number  by  load,  as  well  as  their  burdens.  In  this 
situation  we  exerted  every  nerve  to  the  best  advantage  possible, 
so  as  not  to  lose  a  minute  of  day-light.  The  better  to  faciliate 
this  salutary  measure,  we  were  ordered  to  cook  our  small  pittance 
every  night,  to  last  us  through  the  day,  and  this  in  the  most  fru- 
gal manner  by  boiling  only.  Passed  two  water-falls  where  we 
were  obliged  to  cutroads  and  carry  by  land,  of  about  twenty  roads 
each.  Several  of  our  men  were  excessively  exhausted  with  the 
diarrhea. 

Tuesday,  24th. — Approaching  necessity  now  obliged  us  to  dou- 
ble our  diligence.  Three  miles  only  had  we  proceeded  ere  we 
came  to  a  troublesome  water-fall  in  the  river,  distant  half  a  mile. 
Not  more  than  the  last  mentioned  distance  before  we  were  brought 
up  by  another,  distance  the  same.  As  the  number  of  falls  in- 
creased, the  water  became  consequently  more  rapid.  The  heights 
of  land  upon  each,  side  of  the  river  which  had  hitherto  been  in- 
considerable, now  became  prodigiously  mountainous,  closing  as 
it  were  up  the  river  with  an  aspect  of  an  immense  heighth.  The 
river  was  now  become  very  narrow,  and  such  a  horrid  current 
as  rendered  it  impossible  to  proceed  in  any  other  method  than  by 
hauling  the  batteaux  up  by  the  bushes,  painters,  &c-  Here  we 
met  several  boats  returning  loaded  with  invalids,  and  lamentable 
stories  of  the  inaccessibleness  of  the  river,  and  the  impracticabi- 
lity of  any  further  progress  into  the  country.  Among  which  was 
Mr.  Jackson  before  mentioned,  complaining  of  the  gout  most 
severely,  joined  to  all  the  terrors  of  approaching  famine.  I  was 
now  exhorted  in  the  most  pathetic  terms  to  return,  on  pain  of 
famishing  upon  contrary  conduct,  and  the  army  were  all  return- 
ing except  a  few  who  were  many  miles  forward  with  Col.  Arnold. 
However  his  elocution  did  not  prevail,  I  therefore  bid  him  adieu 
and  proceeded.  Not  far  had  I  proceeded  before  I  discovered 
several  wrecks  of  batteaux  belonging  to  the  front  division  of 
riflemen,  &c.,  with  an  increased  velocity  of  the  water.  A  dire- 
ful howling  wilderness  not  descrjbable.  With  much  labour  and 
difficulty  I  arrived  with  the  principal  part  of  my  baggage  (leaving 
the  batteaux  made  fast)  to  the  encampment.  Two  miles  from 
thence  I  met  the  informants  last  mentioned,  where  were  Col. 
Greene's- division,  &c.,  waiting  for  the  remainder  of  the  army  to 
come  up,  that  they  might  get  some  provisions,  ere  they  advanced 
any  further.  Upon  enquiry  I  found  them  almost  destitute  of  any 
eatable  whatever,  except  a  few  candles,  which  were  used  for  sup- 
per, and  breakfast  the  next  morning,  by  boiling  them  in  water 
gruel,  &c. 

Wednesday,  25. — Every  prospect  of  distress  now  came  thun- 
dering on  with  a  two  fold  rapidity.  A  storm  of  snow  had  covered 
the  ground  of  nigh  six  inches  deep,  attended  with  very  severe 
weather.  We  now  waited  in  anxious  expectation  for  Col.  Enos' 


16 

division  to  come  up,  in  order  that  we  might  have  a  recruit  of  pro- 
visions ere  we  could  start  off  the  ground.)  An  express  was 
ordered  both  up  and  down  the  river,  the  one  up  the  river  inquest 
of  Col.  Arnold,  that  he  might  be  informed  of  the  state  of  the 
army,  many  of  whom  were  now  entirely  destitue  of  any  suste- 
nance. The  Col.  had  left  previous  orders*  for  the  two  divisions, 
viz  :  Greene's  and  Enos'  to  come  to  an  adjustment  of  the  provi- 
sions— send  back  any  who  were  indisposed,  either  in  body  or 
mind,  and  pursue  him  with  the  others  immediately.  The  other 
express  went  down  the  river  to  desire  Col.  Enos  and  officers  to 
attend  in  consultation.  They  accordingly  came  up  before  noon, 
when  a  council  of  war  was  ordered.  Here  sat  a  number  of 
grimacers — melancholy  aspects  who  had  been  preaching  to  their 
men  the  doctrine  of  impenetrability  and  non-perseverance.  Col. 
Enos  in  the  chair.  The  matterwas  debated  upon  the  expediency 
of  proceeding  on  for  Quebec.  The  party  against  going  urging 
the  impossibility,  averring  the  whole  provisions,  when  averaged, 
would  not  support  the  army  five  days. 

The  arrangements  of  men  and  provisions  being  made  at  Fort 
Western,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  proceed  with  the  greater  expedi- 
tion. For  this  end  it  was  thought  necessary  that  Capt.  Morgan's 
company  with  a  few  pioneers  should  advance  in  the  first  division, 
Col.  Greene's  in  the  second,  and  Enos,  with  Capt.  Colbourn's 
company  of  artificers,  to  bring  up  the  rear.  The  advantage  of  the 
arrangement4was  very  conspicuous,  as  the  rear  division  would 
not  only  have  the  roads  cut,  rivers  cleared  passible  for  boats,  &c., 
but  stages  or  encampments  formed  and  the  bough  huts  remaining 
for  the  rear.  The  men  being  thus  arranged,  the  provisions  were 
distributed  according  to  the  supposed  difficulty,  or  facility  attend- 
ing the  different  dispositions.  Many  of  the  first  companies  took 
only  two  or  three  barrels  of  flour  with  several  of  bread,  most  in  a 
small  proportion.  While  the  companies  in  the  last  division  had 
not  less  than  fourteen  of  flour  and  ten  of  bread.  The  bread  as 
mentioned  before,  was  condemned  in  consequence  of  the  leaky 
casks,  therefore  the  proportion  of  bread  being  much  greater  in 
the  first  division,  their  loss  was  consequently  the  greater.  These 
hints  being  premised,  I  now  proceed  to  the  determination  of  the 
council  of  war.  After  debating  upon  the  state  of  the  army  with 
respect  to  provisions,  there  was  found  very  little  in  the  division 
then  encamped  at  the  falls  (which  I  shall  name  Hydrophobus.} 
The  other  companies  not  being  come  up,  either  through  fear  that 
they  should  be  obliged  to  come  to  a  divider,  or  to  shew  their  dis- 
approbation of  proceeding  any  further.  The  question  being  put 
whether  all  to  return,  or  only  part,  the  majority  were  for  part  only 
returning.  Part  only  of  the  officers  of  those  detachments  were  in 

*  Arnold's  Journal,  Knapp's  Life  of  Burr,  p.  217.     Henri's  campaign. 


17 

this  council.     The  number  and  opinions  of  those  present  were  as 
follows  : 


For  proceeding. 
Lieut.  Col.  Greene, 
Major  Bigelow, 
Capt.  Topham, 

Thayer, 

Ward, 


For  returning . 
Capt.  Williams, 


McCobb, 

Scott, 

Adjutant  Hide, 
Lieut.  Peters. 


Lieut.  Col.  Enos. 

According  to  Col.  Arnold's  recommendation  the  invalids  were 
allowed  to  return,  as  also  the  timorous.  One  batteau  only  for 
each  company  to  proceed,  in  order  to  carry  the  military  stores, 
medicines,  &c.  Expresses  returned,  but  no  word  from  Col.  Ar- 
nold, as  he  was  now  in  the  advanced  part  of  Morgan's  division, 
equipped  in  the  best  manner  to  go  in  to  the  inhabitants  as  soon 
as  possible.  He  carried  no  other  stores  except  a  small  quantity 
of  specie,  attended  with  a  good  pilot  in  a  British  canoe,  hands 
sufficient  to  carry  every  thing  over  the  various  carrying  places, 
and  proceeded  by  water  with,  great  expedition.  But  to  return  :  the 
officers  who  were  for  going  forward,  requested  a  division  of  the 
provisions,  and  that  it  was  necessary  they  should  have  the  far 
greater  quantity  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  men,  as  the  sup- 
posed distance  that  they  had  to  go  ere  they  arrived  into  the  in- 
habitants was  greater  than  what  they  had  come,  after  leaving  the 
Cenebec  inhabitants.  To  this  the  returning  party  (being  pre- 
determined) would  not  consent,  alledging  that  they  would  either 
go  back  with  what  provisions  they  had,  or  if  they  must  go  forward 
they'd  not  impart  any.  Col.  Enos  though  [he]  voted  for  proceeding, 
yet  had  undoubtedly  preengaged  to  the  contrary,  as  every  action 
demonstrated.  To  compel  them  to  a  just  division,  we  were  not 
in  a  situation,  as  being  the  weakest  party.  Expostulations  and 
entreaties  had  hitherto  been  fruitless.  Col.  Enos,  who  more  im- 
mediately commanded  the  division  of  returners,  was  called  upon 
to  give  positive  orders  for  a  small  quantity,  if  no  more.  He  re- 
plied that  his  men  were  out  of  his  power,  and  that  they  had  de- 
termined to  keep  their  possessed  quantity  whether  they  went 
backer  forward.  They  finally  concluded  to  spare  [us]  2£  barrels  of 
flour,  if  determined  to  pursue  our  destination  ;  adding  that  we 
never  should  be  able  to  bring  [in]  any  inhabitants.  Thus  circum- 
stanced, we  were  left  the  alternative  of  accepting  their  small 
pittance,  and  proceed  or  return.  The  former  was  adopted,  with  a 
determined  resolution  to  go  through  or  die.  Received  it,  put  it 
on  board  of  our  boats,  quit  the  few  tents  we  were  in  possession 
of,  with  all  other  camp  equipage,  took  each  man  to  his  duds  on 
his  back,  bid  them  adieu,  and  away — passed  the  river,  passed  over 
falls  and  encamped. 

Thursday  26th. — We  were  now  within  154  computed  miles  of 

3 


18 

the  Canadian  inhabitants,  every  man  made  the  best  of  his  way  to 
the  Chaudiere  pond,  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  all  the  forward 
party  except  Col.  Arnold.  Passed  three  carrying  places  on  the 
river.  Passed  over  several  rocky  mountains,  and  monstrous  pre- 
cipices, to  appearance  inaccessible,  fired  with  more  than  Hanni- 
balian  enthusiasm,  American  Alps,  nor  Pyrenees  were  obstacles. 
Passed  a  pond  which  the  river  ran  through,  lodged  on  a  promon- 
tory of  another.  Only  Jack  Wright  was  in  company.  Came  to 
us  in  the  night  Maj.  Ogden,  volunteer,  who  being  lost,  spied 
our  fire,  and  came  on  shore  in  his  boat  in  which  were  military 
stores,  &c. 

Friday,  27th. — Our  bill  of  fare  for  last  night  and  this  morning 
consisted  of   the  jawbone  of  a  swine  destitute  of  any  covering. 
This  we  boiled  in  a  quantity  of  water,  that  with  a  little  thickening 
constituted  our   sumptuous  eating.*     For  covering,  the  atmos- 
phere   only,  except  a  blanket.     Took  the  first  advantage  of  the 
morning  twilight,  and  proceeded  over  the  pond  in  the  boat  with 
Mr.  Ogden,  and  with  much  difficulty  found   the  river   where  it 
emptied  into  this  pond.     It  was  now  very  small,  serpentine  and 
intricate,  that  it  soon  induced  me  to  quit  the  boat  for  the  land  car- 
riage, which  to  my  grief  soon  found  more  perplexing.     The  de- 
tachment who  were  before  us    had  chiefly  marched  by  land.     I 
therefore  concluded  to  take  a  course  by  the  river  which  I  thought 
would  certainly   bring  me   upon  it.     But  alas,  to  no    purpose. 
After  wandering  upon  an  easterly  course  for  half  the  day,  I  took  a 
W.  S.  W.  one,  and  in  the   afternoon  accidentally  hit    upon  the 
rack  scarcely  perceptible.     Pursued  this  river  till  it  was  reduced 
to  nothing  more  than  a  small  brook,  incapable  of  floating  the  bat- 
teaux  any  further  in  this,  I  came  up  with  some  of  the  advanced 
party  who  were  making  ready  to  quit  the  stream,  and  carry  over 
to  the  pond  or  small  lake,  N.  W.  course.     Passed  over  four  ponds 
this  day,  the  last  of  which  was  a  beautiful  one  upon  the  height  of 
land  or  Apallachian  mountains,  from  where  the  Dead  river  takes 
its  rise.    This  same  Dead  river  is  only  a  continuation   of  Cene- 
bec,  or  at  least   one  branch  of  it.     So  that  when  we    quit   the 
Cenebec  at  the  great  carrying  place,  we  left  the   river   to  the 
northward  and  eastward,  crossing  an  elbow  of  land,  and  thereby 
missing   about   18  miles  of  the  river  Cenebec,  said  to   be  but 
little  else  but  continued  falls  and  rapids,  as   undoubtedly  is  the 
case,  as  the  land  was  an  almost  endless  ascent  during  our  whole 
march  from  lake  to   lake,  till  arrived    to  the  fall  which  led  us  to 
the  Dead  river.     I  return  to  our  camp.     After  crossing  the  last 
lake,  we  carried  our  baggage  over  a  mountain  of  about  2%  miles 
ascent;  from  this   chain   of  mountains  proceeds  the  chief  of  the 
streams  of  any  considerable  note  in  New  England,  and   falling 

•Henry's  campaign,  p.  63. 


19 

into  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  All  the  streams  rising  from  the  westernmost 
and  the  northernmost  side  of  these  mountains  fall  into  the  river  St. 
Lawrence,  and  lakes  which  empty  themselves  therein.  The  distance 
of  our  last  carrying  place  was  4^  miles.  We  were  now  in  quest  of  a 
small  stream  called  the  Seven  Mile  stream.  This,  from  its  course 
seemed  to  proceed  from  a  chain  of  mountains  just  mentioned,  a 
little  to  the  southward  of  where  we  crossed  them,  and  emptied 
itself  into  the  Chaudiere  or  Amaguntalake,  after  running  about? 
miles  from  the  place  where  we  fell  in  with  it.  Our  provisions 
were  now  a  very  inconsiderable  part  of  our  burthen,  that  we  got 
over  this  portage  much  easier  than  when  they  were  plenty.  At 
4  o'clock,  P.  M.  we  arrived  at  this  small  but  beautiful  stream, 
whose  course  was  about  N.  E.  and  by  N.  Here  were  waiting 
Capt.  Morgan  with  all  the  advanced  party,  saving  Col.  Arnold, 
&c.  This  place  was  not  a  little  delightsome,  considering  its 
situation  in  the  midst  of  an  amazing  wilderness,  unfrequented  by 
any  except  the  savages,  and  them  rarely.  This  stream  is  environed 
all  along  for  a  very  considerable  distance  on  the  south  side  by 
fine  meadows.  Joint  grass,  to  a  very  great  growth,  seemed 
the  natural  and  indeed  the  only  production  of  the  soil,  except  a 
very  few  large  elms  scattered  up  and  down  it.  Here  were  also 
fine  trout. 

Saturday,  28th. — Were  now  waiting  for  the  rear  of  our  little 
detachment  to  come  up,  in  order  to  all  proceed  from  this  to- 
gether. Last  night  imagined  that  a  smoke  was  discovered  to 
the  westward  of  us,  in  consequence  of  which  a  scouting  party 
were  ordered  out  for  examination,  but  no  discovery  could  be  made 
of  any  enemy.  A  letter  per  express  from  General  Arnold,  at  4 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  requesting  as  speedy  a  procedure  as  possible. 
That  one  of  his  expresses  had  returned  (Tackquith,)  from  the 
Canadian  inhabitants  informing  of  their  amicable  disposition  to- 
wards us,  that  he  had  received  their  pledge  of  friendship  in  a  loaf 
of  bread,  &c.  By  this  time  our  men  were  all  arrived,  embodied, 
and  the  glad  tidings  promulgated  among  them,  to  the  unspeakable 
joy  of  the  whole  camp.  In  consequence  of  this  news,  we  were 
ordered  to  be  in  motion  immediately.  The  provisions  were  or- 
dered into  one  fund,  in  order  that  every  man  might  be  acquainted 
with  what  he  had  to  depend  upon  to  carry  him  into  the  inhabi- 
tants, computed  at  about  a  hundred  miles.  Upon  a  division  of 
the  provisions  there  five  pints  per  man.  Pork,  though  the  only 
meat,  was  not  properly  divisible,  as  the  whole  amount  would  not 
have  been  an  ounce  per  man.  The  officers  in  general  were 
generous  enough  to  dispense  with  [it]  for  the  better  satisfaction  and 
encouragement  of  the  soldiers.  Decamped  this  evening  and 
marched  a  mile  and  a  half. 

Sunday,  29th. — Not  less  than  14  days  had  our  detachment  been 
upon  half  allowance  ere  yesterday's  division  took  place.     That 


20 

several  of  the  men  devoured  the  whole  of  their  flour  the  last  eve- 
ning, determined  (as  they  expressed  it,)  to  have  a  full  meal,  letting 
the  morrow  look  out  for  itself.  The  ground  being  overflowed 
with  water  before  the  little  stream  emptied  into  the  Chaudiere, 
it  was  thought  best  by  the  majority  to  go  to  the  southeast  of  the 
stream  upon  the  higher  land  and  so  pass  round  the  lake;  however, 
there  were  three  or  four  companies  proceeded  down  the  stream 
as  far  as  they  could,  then  leaving  it  to  the  southward,  and  taking 
the  north-westerly  shore  round  the  lake.  While  Col.  Greene  and 
most  of  his  officers  including  myself  took  our  course  N.  E.  and 
by  E.  for  the  Chaudiere.  Deluded  by  a  pretended  pilot,  we 
found  our  error  ere  night  closed  upon  us. 

From  the  first  appearance  of  daylight  this  morn  we  picked  up 
our  small  affairs  and  beat  a  march.  Not  long  had  we  marched 
this  course  before  we  came  into  a  spruce  and  cedar  swamp,  and 
arrived  at  a  small  pond  at  11  o'clock,  through  the  most  execrable 
bogmire,  impenetrable  Pluxus  of  shrubs,  imaginable.  This  pond 
we  pursued  till  coming  to  an  outlet  rivulet,  we  followed  to  a  lake 
much  larger  than  the  first,  and  notwithstanding  the  most  confident 
assertions  of  our  pilot,  we  pursued  this  pond  the  most  of  the  day, 
but  no  Chaudiere.  We  did  not  reach  out  of  the  spruce  and  cedar 
territory  this  day,  but  was  obliged  to  encamp  in  the  swamp,  as 
we  thought  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Chaudiere  River,  (a  river,  so 
called  from  its  making  out  of  the  great  Chaudiere  Lake,)  which, 
according  to  Montezare's  map,  we  were  sure  to  find  the  way  into 
the  country  without  difficulty,  leading  us  directly  to  the  river  St. 
Lawrence.  This  day's  march  was  computed  at  eighteen  miles. 
Capt.  Morgan's  company,  with  seven  batteaux,  followed  the 
7  mile  stream,  with  a  purpose  of  passing  the  south  lake, 
which  they  effected.  These  old  woodsmen  had  resolutely  per- 
severed in  carrying  that  number  of  boats  over  the  mountains, 
with  an  intent  to  still  preserve  a  certain  quantity  of  the  military 
stores,  which  by  no  other  means  could  be  conveyed  any  further 
than  the  Chaudiere. 

Monday,  30th. — Cooking  being  very  much  out  of  fashion,  we 
had  little  else  to  do  than  march  as  quick  as  light  permitted ;  half 
an  hour  only  brought  us  to  a  water  which  we  imagined  to  be  a 
creek  formed  by  the  lake ;  laid  our  course  more  southwardly, 
endeavouring  to  go  round  it,  but  three  miles  march  evinced  our 
mistake  ;  our  creek  proved  to  be  a  river  of  four  rods  wide.  The 
depth  and  width  of  this  river  rendered  it  unfordable,  nor  [was]  it 
possible  to  form  a  bridge,  as  nothing  of  any  bigness  grew  on  its 
banks.  It  was  now  conjectured  this  river  made  out  of  the  Alle- 
geny  chain  of  mountains,  which  we  had  therefore  the  marching 
round  it  impracticable.  We  therefore  concluded  to  proceed  up  it 
till  it  was  fordable.  We  had  not  gone  far  before  we  came  to  a 
place  about  four  feet  deep,  which  we  immediately  forded,  although 


21 

much  frozen  on  each  side.  This  Balneum  Frigidum  served  to 
exercise  our  motion  in  order  to  keep  from  freezing.  Our 
main  course  was  W.  N.  W.,  and  only  varied  to  escape  the  bogs, 
mountains,  small  ponds,  water  streams,  &c.,  of  which  we  met 
with  many.  This  was  the  third  day  we  had  been  in  search  of 
the  Chaudiere,  who  were  only  seven  computed  miles  distant  the 
28th  inst.  Nor  were  we  possessed  of  any  certainty  that  our 
course  would  bring  us  either  to  the  lake  or  river,  not  knowing  the 
point  it  lay  from  where  we  started.  However  we  came  to  a 
resolution  to  continue  it.  In  this  state  of  uncertainty  we  wandered 
through  hideous  swamps  and  mountainous  precipices,  with  the 
conjoint  addition  of  cold,  wet  and  hunger,  not  to  mention  our 
fatigue — with  the  terrible  apprehension  of  famishing  in  this 
desert.  The  pretended  pilot  was  not  less  frightened  than  many 
of  the  rest ;  added  to  that  the  severe  execrations  he  received  from 
the  front  of  the  army  to  the  rear,  made  his  office  not  a  little  dis- 
agreeable. Several  of  the  men  towards  evening  were  ready  to 
give  up  any  thoughts  of  ever  arriving  at  the  desired  haven. 
Hunger  and  fatigue  had  so  much  the  ascendancy  over  many  of 
the  poor  fellows,  added  to  their  despair  of  arrival,  that  some  of 
them  were  left  in  the  river,  nor  were  heard  of  afterwards.  In 
turn  with  Col.  Greene,  I  carried  the  compass  the  greater  part  of 
this  day.  In  this  condition  we  proceeded  with  as  little  know- 
ledge of  where  we  were,  or  where  we  should  get  to,  as  if  we  had 
been  in  the  unknown  interior  of  Africa,  or  the  deserts  of  Arabia. 
Just  as  the  sun  was  departing,  we  brought  a  pond  or  lake,  which 
finally  proved  to  be  Chaudiere,  and  soon  the  small  foot-path  made 
by  the  other  division  of  the  army,  whose  choice  turned  to  their 
account.  Our  arrival  here  was  succeeded  with  three  huzzas, 
and  then  came  to  our  encampment. 

Tuesday,  31. — The  appearance  of  daylight  roused  us  as  usual, 
and  we  had  advanced  with  all  possible  speed  till  about  11  o'clock, 
ere  we  saw  the  Chaudiere  river,  which  we  last  night  imagined 
within  a  mile.  Animated  afresh  with  the  sight  of  a  stream, 
which  we  very  well  knew  would  couduct  us  into  the  inhabitants 
if  our  strength  continued,  we  proceeded  with  renewed  vigour. 
The  emptying  of  the  Chaudiere  is  beautiful,  and  formed  a  very 
agreeable  ascent,  though  the  stream  is  somewhat  rapid.  The 
land  was  now  much  descending,  yet  very  difficult  travelling. 
The  spruce,  cedar  and  hemlock  were  the  chief  growth  of  the 
earth,  and  these  were  in  tolerable  plenty,  almost  impenetrably  so 
in  many  places.  We  now  began  to  discover  the  wrecked  bat- 
teaux  of  those  who  conducted  the  ammunition,  &c.  These  were 
seven  in  number,  who  followed  the  seven  mile  stream  into  the 
Chaudiere  lake,  river,  &c.,  and  soon  came  to  an  encampment, 
where  I  found  Capt.  Morgan  and  most  of  the  boatmen  who  were 
wrecked  upon  a  fall  in  the  river,  losing  every  thing  except  their 

3* 


22 

lives,  which  they  all  saved  by  swimming,  except  one  of  Morgan's 
riflemen.  This  was  the  first  man  drowned  in  all  the  dangers  we 
were  exposed  to,  and  the  third  [lost]  by  casualties,  except  some  lost 
in  the  wilderness,  the  number  unknown.  At  this  encampment  was 
Lieut.  McCleland,  of  Morgan's  company,  almost  expiring  with  a 
violent  peripneumonia.  Necessaries  were  distributed  as  much  as 
possible,  with  two  lads  of  the  company  in  charge  of  him.*  Nor 
was  this  poor  fellow  the  only  one  left  sick  upon  this  river.  Life 
depending  upon  a  vigorous  push  for  the  inhabitants,  and  that  did 
not  admit  of  any  stay  for  any  person ;  nor  could  the  two  lads  have 
been  prevailed  upon  had  not  provisions  been  dealt  out  sufficient 
to  conduct  them  to  the  inhabitants,  with  the  promising  to  send  them 
relief  as  soon  as  possible  from  the  settlements.  In  this  general 
wreck  my  medicine  box  suffered  the  fate  of  the  rest,  with  a  set 
of  capital  instruments,  &c.  Though  little  was  to  be  feared  from 
either  my  chirurgical  apparatus  or  physical  portions,  I  had,  how- 
ever, a  few  necessaries  in  that  way  in  my  knapsack,  &c.,  with  a 
lancet  in  my  pocket,  which  enabled  me  at  least  to  comply  with 
the  Sangradotne  method.  Continued  our  march  about  five  miles 
further. 

Wednesday,  Nov.  1st. — Our  greatest  luxuries  now  consisted  in 
a  little  water,  stiffened  with  flour,  in  imitation  of  shoemakers'  paste, 
which  was  christened  with  the  name  of  Lillipu.  Instead  of  the 
diarrhoea,  which  tried  our  men  most  shockingly  in  the  former 
part  of  our  march,  the  reverse  was  now  the  complaint,  which 
continued  for  many  days.  We  had  now  arrived  as  we  thought 
to  almost  the  zenith  of  distress.  Several  had  been  entirely  des- 
titute of  either  meat  or  bread  for  many  days.  These  chiefly 
consisted  of  those  who  devoured  their  provision  immediately,  and 
a  number  who  were  in  the  boats.  The  voracious  disposition 
many  of  us  had  now  arrived  at,  rendered  almost  any  thing  ad- 
missible. Clean  and  unclean  were  forms  now  little  in  use.  In 
company  was  a  poor  dog,  [who  had]  hitherto  lived  through  all  the 
tribulations,  became  a  prey  for  the  sustenance  of  the  assassinators. 
This  poor  animal  was  instantly  devoured,  without  leaving  any 
vestige  of  the  sacrifice.  Nor  did  the  shaving  soap,  pomatum,  and 
even  the  lip  salve,  leather  of  their  shoes,  cartridge  boxes,  &c., 
share  any  better  fate  ;  passed  several  poor  fellows,  truly  com- 
misserating  [them.] 

Tuesday,  2d. — Long  ere  this  necessity  had  obliged  us  to  dis- 
miss all  our  encamping  equipage,  excepting  a  small  light  tin  ket- 
tle among  a  number  ;  but  nothing  to  cut  our  wood,  &c.  Accord- 
ing to  our  strength  and  spirits,  we  were  scattered  up  and  down 
the  river  at  the  distance  of  perhaps  twenty  miles.  Not  more 
than  eight  miles  had  we  marched,  when  a  vision  of  horned  cattle, 

*Hcnry'»  Campaign,  p.  68. 


23 

four  footed  beasts,  &c.  rode  and  drove  by  animals  resembling 
Plato's  two  footed  featherless  ones.  Upon  a  nigher  approach 
our  vision  proved  real !  Exclamations  of  joy. — Echoes  of  glad- 
ness resounded  from  front  to  rear  !  with  a  te  deum.  Three  horn- 
ed cattle,  two  horses,  eighteen  Canadians  and  one  American.  A 
heifer  was  chosen  as  victim  to  our  wants;  slain  and  divided  ac- 
cordingly. Each  man  was  restricted  to  one  pound  of  beef.  Soon 
arrived  two  more  Canadians  in  B.  Canoes,  ladened  with  a  coarse 
kind  of  meal,  mutton,  tobacco,  &c.  Each  man  drew  likewise  a 
pint  of  this  provender.  The  mutton  was  destined  for  the  sick. 
They  proceeded  up  the  river  in  order  to  the  rear's  partaking  of 
the  same  benediction.  We  sat  down,  eat  our  rations,  blessed  our 
stars,  and  thought  it  luxury.  Upon  a  general  computation  we 
marched  from  20  to  30  miles  per  day.  Twenty  miles  only  from 
this  to  the  settlements.  Lodged  at  the  great  falls  this  night. 

Friday,  3d. — Last  night's' lodging  was  nature's  bed  without 
any  covering.  Every  moment  expecting  to  bring  the  inhabitants 
in  view.  Forded  a  very  considerable  river,  emptying  itself  into 
the  Chaudiere  upon  the  S.  W.  side.  Half  after  10  o'clock,  A. 
M.  we  arrived  at  the  first  town,  principally  inhabited  by  the  Abo- 
rigines. Just  ere  we  entered  the  town  we  came  to  another  river 
much  larger  than  any  we'd  crossed,  which  emptied  into  the  Chau- 
diere in  the  first  settlements.  Here  was  an  old  native  stationed 
under  a  hut  built  with  blankets,  in  wait  for  us  with  his  boiled  po- 
tatoes, bread,  &c.,  offering  them  for  sale,  he  was  also  ferryman. 
We  trafficked  to  some  small  amonnt  with  him,  and  hired  his  assis- 
tance with  his  little  bark  over  the  river,  and  bid  him  adieu.  The 
politeness  and  civility  with  which  the  poor  Canadian  peasants 
received  us,  added  to  our  joy  when  AVC  were  conducted  to  the 
place  of  rendezvous,  and  served  out  firkin  butter  and  hot  bread, 
which  we  attacked  with  great  spirit.  This  place  is  called  Sarti- 
gan,  naturally  excellent  soil,  beautifully  situated.  Inhabited  with 
part  Canadian  French,  the  other  natives.  Proceeded  five  miles. 

Sartigan,  Saturday,  4th.  The  five  miles  march  last  evening 
brought  us  to  the  Colonel's  quarters,  and  this  morning  the  savages 
assembled  in  statu  quo,  and  waited  on  the  Colonel  to  know  our 
reasons  for  coming  among  them  in  a  hostile  manner,  pretending 
they  were  unacquainted  with  our  intentions,  among  which  was  the 
two  expresses  despatched  from  Norrigewalk  with  letters  to  Glue- 
bee.  In  the  assembly  the  savages  were  prepared  with  an  inter- 
preter. They  addressed  the  colonel  in  great  pomp,  and  one  of 
their  chiefs  delivered  an  oration  with  all  the  air  and  gesture  of  an 
accomplished  orator.  After  this  being  explained  or  translated, 
the  colonel  returned  the  following  answer.  Friends  and  breth- 
ren:— "  I  feel  myself  very  happy  in  meeting  with  so  many  of 
my  brethren  from  the  different  quarters  of  the  great  country,  and 
more  so  as  I  find  we  meet  as  friends,  and  that  we  are  equally  con- 


24 

cerned  in  this  expedition.  Brethren,  we  are  the  children  of  those 
people  who  have  now  taken  up  the  hatched  against  us.  More 
than  one  hundred  years  ago,  we  were  all  as  one  family.  We 
then  differed  in  our  religion,  and  came  over  to  this  great  country 
by  consent  of  the  king.  Our  fathersbought  lands  of  the  savages, 
and  have  grown  a  great  people.  Even  as  the  stars  in  the  sky. 
We  have  planted  the  ground,  and  by  our  labour  grown  rich. 
Now  a  new  king  and  his  wicked  great  men  want  to  take  our  lands 
and  money  without  our  consent.  This  we  think  unjust,  and  all 
our  great  men  from  the  river  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi, 
met  together  at  Philadelphia,  were  they  all  talked  together,  and 
sent  a  prayer  to  the  king,  that  they  would  be  brothers  and  fight , 
for  him,  but  would  not  give  up  their  lands  and  money.  The 
king  would  not  hear  our  prayer,  but  sent  a  great  army  to  Boston 
and  endeavoured  to  set  our  brethren  against  us  in  Canada.  The 
king's  army  at  Boston  came  out  into  the  fields  and  houses,  killed 
a  great  many  women  and  children,  while  they  were  peaceably 
at  work.  The  Bostonians  sent  to  their  brethren  in  the  country, 
and  they  came  in  unto  their  relief,  and  in  six  days  raised  an  army 
of  fifty  thousand  men  and  drove  the  king's  troops  on  board  their 
ships,  killed  and  wounded  fifteen  hundred  of  their  men.  Since 
that  they  durst  not  come  out  of  Boston.  Now  we  hear  the  French 
and  Indians  in  Canada  have  sent  to  us,  that  the  king's  troops 
oppress  them  and  make  them  pay  a  great  price  for  their  rum, 
&c.;  press  them  to  take  up  arms  against  the  Bostonians,  their 
brethren,  who  have  done  them  no  hurt.  By  the  desire  of  the 
French  and  Indians,  our  brothers,  we  have  come  to  their  assis- 
tance, with  an  intent  to  drive  out  the  king's  soldiers;  when  drove 
off  we  will  return  to  our  own  country,  and  leave  this  to  the  peace- 
able enjoyment  of  its  proper  inhabitants.  Now  if  the  Indians, 
our  brethren,  will  join  us,  we  will  be  very  much  obliged  to  them, 
and  will  give  them  one  Portuguese  per  month,  two  dollars 
bounty,  and  find  them  their  provisions,  and  they  liberty  to  chuse 
their  own  officers." 

This  declaration  had  the  desired  effect,  about  fifty  of  them  em- 
bodied according  to  agreement,  took  their  canoes  and  proceeded. 
From  our  last  lodgings  hired  a  peasant,  and  proceeded  down  the 
river  in  a  canoe  five  miles  to  a  victualling  house  or  other  place  of 
rendezvous.  This  village,  St.  Josephs,  made  a  further  agreement, 
and  continued  down  the  river  about  four  miles  further,  as  we 
found  nothing  agreeable  since  our  arrival,  except  one  quart  of 
New  England  rum,  (if  that  was  to  be  allowed  so)  for  which  I 
paid  one  hard  dollar.  We  were  making  enquiry  at  every  likely 
stage,  for  this  purpose  visited  an  old  peasant's  house,  where  was 
a  merry  old  woman  at  her  loom,  and  two  or  three  fine  young 
girls.  They  were  exceedingly  rejoiced  with  our  company. 
Bought  some  eggs,  rum,  sugar,  sweetmeats,  &c.,  where  we  made 


25 

ourselves  very  happy.  Upon  the  old  woman  being  acquainted 
from  whence  we  came,  immediately  fell  singing  and  dancing 
"  Yankee  Doodle"  with  the  greatest  air  of  good  humour.  After 
making  the  old  woman  satisfied  for  her  kickshaws,  saluted  her 
for  her  civilities,  &c.,  marched.  The  distance  computed  from  the 
Chaudiere  Lake  to  the  inhabitants,  one  hundred  miles.  From 
thence  to  Quebec,  ninety. 

Sunday,  5th.— Our  army  was  in  a  very  scattered  condition,  ex- 
presses were  sent  to  hurry  them  on  as  fast  as  possible.  The 
colonel  had  an  express  arrived  this  day,  informing  of  Mr.  Rob- 
bisho's  being  taken  prisoner,  an  express  sent  by  colonel  from 
Sartigan.  This  put  the  pedple  in  a  great  panic,  as  they  heard 
the  English  were  determined  to  burn  and  destroy  all  the  inhabi- 
tants in  the  vicinity  of  Quebec,  unless  they  came  in  and  took  up 
arms  in  defence  of  the  garrison.  Arrived  at  St.  Mary's  Chapel, 
where  we  had  very  good  entertainment.  Good  roast  turkey, 
Spanish  wine,  &c. 

Monday,  6th. — This  morning  orders  were  given  for  every  cap- 
tain to  get  his  company  on  as  fast  as  possible,  and  not  to  leave  a 
man  behind  unless  unfit  for  duty.  Had  thirty  computed  miles 
yet  to  go  ere  we  came  to  Point  Levi. 

Tuesday,  7th. — Water  carriage  now  failing,  was  either  obliged 
to  foot  pad  it,  or  hire  a  horse — chose  the  latter.  Chaplain  Spring 
hired  another  in  the  same  village,  for  which  we  were  to  pay  three 
hard  dollars.  After  being  equipped  in  the  Hudibrastic  taste, 
(except  a  spur.)  In  lieu  of  a  saddle,  we  had  an  old  piece  of 
cushion,  across  which  was  a  rope,  which  served  as  stirrups.  Ar- 
rived within  four  leagues  of  Quebec.  Terrible  road,  mud  and 
mire  to  the  horses'  belly. 

Wednesday,  8th. — Were  within  four  leagues  of  Quebec  this 
morning,  all  possible  despatch  was  used  to  arrive  ere  the  enemy 
got  any  reinforcements  of  either  men  or  provisions.  Arrived  at 
Point  Levi  11  o'clock  A.  M.  Snow  over  shoes.  In  open  sight 
of  the  enemy  nought  but  the  river  divided  us.  Few  of  the  army 
arrived  this  day.  Provisions  buying  up.  Canadian  mechanicks 
at  work  making  scaling  ladders,  lannuts,  &c.,  as  many  of  the  men 
being  destitute  of  shoes,  as  fast  as  the  beefs  were  killed,  the  hides 
were  made  into  savage  shoes.  Nothing  of  great  moment  while 
we  lay  here.  We  were  daily  preparing  to  cross  the  river  St. 
Lawrence.  The  enemy  had  destroyed  all  the  boats  canoes,  &c., 
for  many  miles  up  and  down  the  river,  upon  the  side  we  were 
ere  our  arrival.  The  confusion  in  Quebec  was  very  great.  But 
if  we  had  been  in  a  situation  to  have  crossed  the  river  immediate- 
ly upon  our  arrival,  they  would  have  fallen  an  easy  prey.  Our 
army  daily  coming  up,  our  preparations  for  crossing,  the  enemy's 
for  repelling  us,  were  the  chief  occurrences  for  this  four  days 
past. 


26 

Saturday,  llth. — Two  of  the  enemy's  vessels  quit  the  harbour 
and  went  down  the  river  this  morning-,  imagined  with  valuable 
effects.  I  had  forgot  to  mention  the  arrival  of  one  Mr.  Haulstead, 
into  our  camp  the  9th  inst.  Ele  was  formerly  from  the  Jerseys,  fol- 
lowed merchandize  in  Quebec,  had  been  suspected  by  the  enemy 
of  holding  a  correspondence  with  the  Bostonians,  and  previous 
to  our  arrival  sent  down  the  river  about  fourteen  miles  to  the  Isle 
d'  Orleans.  This  gentleman  could  give  us  no  fresh  intelligence 
from  the  city,  not  having  been  there  for  several  days.  Our  sit- 
uation was  in  view  of  the  enemy,  who  were  exerting  all  their 
power  in  furnishing  their  magazines  for  their  support  in  the  seige. 
Arrived  to  their  relief  this  evening  Colonel  JVIcClean  and  crew 
from  Montreal  in  a  vessel.  We  captured  Mr.  McKenzie,  one  of 
their  midshipmen,  who  came  ashore  on  the  Point  Levi  side.* 
This  was  acted  in  sight  of  two  of  their  ships  of  war,  which  oc- 
casioned heavy  fire  from  one  of  them  upon  the  party,  but  no 
damage.  Log  and  bark  canoes  were  daily  carrying  down  the 
river  Chaudiere,  which  emptied  into  the  St.  Lawrence  but  four 
miles  above  Point  Levi. 

Sunday,  12th. — On  the  chapel  door  at  Point  Levi,  I  found  the 
following  pompous  proclamation  to  ensnare  the  ignorant: 

"Conditions  to  be  given  to  such  soldiers  as  shall  engage  in  the 
Royal  Highland  Emigrants.  They  are  to  engage  during  the  pre- 
sent troubles  in  America  only.  Each  soldier  is  to  have  200 
acres  of  land  in  any  province  in  North  America  he  shall  think 
proper.  The  king  to  pay  the  patent  fees,  secretary's  fees  and 
surveyor  general,  besides  twenty  years  free  of  quit  rent.  Each 
married  man  gets  fifty  acres  for  his  wife,  and  fifty  for  each  child, 
on  the  same  terms,  and  as  a  gratuity  besides  the  above  great 
terms,  one  guinea  levy  money. 

ALLEN  MCLEAN,  Lt.  Col. 

Quebec,  Aug.  3,  1775.  Commandt." 

Monday,  13th.  The  report  from  the  lower  guard  mentions 
three  vessels  passing  down  the  river  from  Quebec,  this  morning 
early,  supposed  to  be  laden  with  more  valuable  effects.  Two  sa- 
vages from  the  suburbs  of  Montreal,  arrived  with  an  express  from 
General  Montgomery,  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  entering  the 
city.  This  gave  us  new  spirits,  being  in  hopes  to  have  as  good 
intelligence  to  communicate  to  the  General.  Things  were  now 
hurried  with  all  possible  speed.  The  enemy  had  advantageously 
posted  two  vessels  of  war  in  the  river,  in  order  to  obstruct  our 
passing  the  river  to  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  The  mechanicks 
had  now  finished  their  works.  Ladders,  lannuts,  &c.,  were  in 
readiness  for  crossing,  when  we  had  orders  to  be  ready  at  a 

*  Moil's  Journal,  Coll.  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  vol.  2,  p.  236,  (2d  ser.)  Henry's 
campaign,  81. 


27 

minute's  warning.  2  o'clock  at  night,  assembled  at  a  certain 
place,  where  we  had  for  shelter  some  mills,  when  the  boats 
were  to  be  drawn  from  the  cave  of  the  Chandiere  to  receive  us. 
Mr.  Haulstead,  the  gentleman  before  mentioned,  served  as  Pilot. 
The  canoes  were  but  few  in  number;  therefore  were  obliged 
to  cross  and  return  three  times  ere  the  army  got  over.  The  night 
being  exceeding  dark,  every  thing  was  conducted  with  the 
utmost  secrecy,  no  lights,  no  noise.  Captain  Hatchett  and  com- 
pany were  left  as  a  guard  at  Point  Levi,  to  some  effects  left  be- 
hind" there.  It  was  proposed  to  cross  immediately  into  Wolfe's 
Cove,  the  distance  a  league.  I  went  in  the  first  division,  and  in 
the  Pilot  boat,  in  which  was  General  Arnold,  Captain  Morgan 
with  some  riflemen,  and  one  boat  load  of  savages,  with  others  to 
the  amount  of  six  boats.  Crossed  between  the  two  vessels,  not- 
withstanding the  armed  barges  were  plying  every  hour  from  ship 
to  ship.  We  had  nigh  come  in  contact  with  one  of  them  in  the 
midst  of  the  stream,  but  luckily  passed  her  undiscovered.  Landed 
above  the  Cove,  without  being  discovered,  and  contrary  to  our 
expectation  where  there  were  no  sentinels.  Guards  were  detach- 
ed immediately  up  and  down  the  river  as  security,  while  the 
canoes  returned  for  the  remainder,  till  all  completely  made  their 
landing,  though  in  a  very  scattered  condition,  by  reason  of  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  distance  and  rapid  ebb  tide,  &c.  However 
at  daylight  we  were  all  in  the  Cove,  without  any  accident  except 
one  of  the  birch  canoes  bursting  asunder  in  the  midst  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  but  happily  saved  them  all,  by  dragging  them  ashore, 
lost  all  their  guns,  &c. 

The  enemy  were  not  yet  [seen] — alarge  fire  was  built  in  a  house 
in  Wolfe's  Cove,  where  were  the  castaways  a  drying  themselves, 
&c.  Spies  were  sent  down  the  river,  on  the  Plains,  &c.,  to  dis- 
cover the  movements  of  the  enemy  (if  any.)  The  fire  was  spied 
by  one  of  the  patrolling  barges,  who  came  towards  the  shore, 
when  fired  upon  by  the  riflemen,  though  contrary  to  orders. 
Wounded  some  of  them,  when  they  thought  proper  to  put  off. 
They  did  not  yet  believe  that  we  had  crossed,  imagining  it  im- 
possible on  account  of  their  destroying  the  boats  &c.,  nor  were 
they  alarmed  in  the  city,  as  we  could  hear  the  watch  very  often. 
Captain  Smith  with  a  detachment  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre  the 
enemies  lines,  but  could  discover  no  movements.  The  idea  of 
storming  the  city  was  now  inadmissible,  our  plight  being  so  bad, 
and  the  enemy's  much  better  after  the  arrival  of  Colonel 
McLean.  The  city  gates  were  all  closed,  cannon  in  order,  &c. 
We  marched  upon  the  Plains,  took  possession  of  Major  Cald- 
well's  house  at  St.  Foys,  where  we  detected  some  teams  loaded 
with  beef,  vegetables,  &c.,  going  into  the  city,  we  surrounded  the 
house  [and]  took  a  servant  of  the  Major's. 

Tuesday,  14th.     Had  a  general  alarm  at  12  o'clock,  by  reason 


28 

of  their  taking  one  of  our  advanced  sentinels,  with  the  report  of 
their  coming  out  to  give  us  battle.  The  army  turned  out,  marched 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  walls,  gave  them  three  cheers,  upon 
which  they  gave  us  as  many  cannon  shot.*  Took  several  loads 
of  provisions  going  into  the  enemy.  Attempted  to  send  in  a  flag 
of  truce  by  Major  Ogden,  but  they  would  not  receive  it. 

Wednesday,  15th.  Nothing  of  consequence  transpired  this 
day.  Attempted  sending  by  flag  again,  but  was  fired  upon. 
Had  a  false  alarm. 

Thursday,  16th.  A  brisk  cannonade  the  most  of  the  dny  upon 
a  party  of  Captain  Morgan's  riflemen,  who  were  stationed  upon 
St.  Charles  River  by  the  Nunnery.  Wounded  one  Sergeant 
Dixon,  that  his  leg  was  amputated.!  No  other  harm. 

Friday,  17th.  No  extraordinary  occurrence  this  day.  A 
Canadian  in  McLean's  regiment  came  from  the  enemy,  brought 
intelligence  advantageous. 

Saturday,  18th.  Another  deserter  from  the  city,  by  which  we 
were  informed  they  were  preparing  their  field  pieces  in  order  to 
pay  us  a  visit.  A  council  was  called,  an  examination  of  our  arms, 
ammunition,  &c.  The  former  were  found  much  deficient  in 
numbers,  much  in  disorder.  No  bayonets,  no  field  pieces  and 
upon  an  average  of  the  ammunition  there  amounted  only  to  about 
four  rounds  per  man.  Under  these  circumstances  it  was  thought 
proper  to  raise  the  siege,  and  proceed  up  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
8  leagues  to  "  Point  Aux  Tremble."  In  the  mean  time  dispatched 
an  express  to  General  Montgomery,  informing  him  of  our  situa- 
tion, &c.  Orders  were  given  accordingly,  and  at  eight  in  the 
morn  we  decamped,  leaving  the  old  Abraham  Plains  to  the 
Britons.  Orders  were  likewise  dispatched  over  the  river  to  Point 
Levi,  informing  of  our  determination,  and  they  marched  upon 
the  south  side.  Arrived  there  the  night  ensuing. 

Sunday,  19th.  The  main  of  this  day's  occurrences  under 
yesterday's  head.  Met  with  a  large  brig  coming  down  from  Mon- 
treal, in  which  was  General  Carleton,  as  we  afterwards  heard. 

Monday,  20th.  The  post  arrived  in  our  camp  this  morning, 
brings  certain  news  of  the  City  of  Montreal  being  in  the  hands 
of  General  Montgomery,  and  that  he  was  on  his  march  down  to 
our  assistance.  An  express  was  sent  back  again  to  the  General. 

Tueaday,  21st.  Intelligence  from  Montreal  informs  of  the  cap- 
ture(  of  11  sail,  800  barrels  of  pork,  a  large  quantity  of  flour,  &c. 
Till  now  our  army  had  been  tolerably  healthy  since  our  arrival 
over  the  river,  but  free  eating,  more  than  usually  cold  weather, 
&c.,  produced  inflammations,  &c.  Nothing  material  from  this  to 

*  Meig's  Journal,  Coll.  Mass.  Hist.  So.  Vol.  2,  p.  237.  (2d  Ser.)  Henry's 
Campaign,  87. 

f  Henry's  Camp.  92,  93. 


29 

the  25th.  Some  severe  " Peripneumias,"  "Anginas,"  &c. 
Upon  the  25th  three  up  of  the  enemies  ships  of  war  came  up  the 
river,  and  lay  off  opposite  us.  Undoubtedly  to  intercept  our  ship- 
ping, as  we  every  day  expected  them  from  Montreal. 

Sunday,  26th.  A  proclamation  came  to  hand  issued  by  Gene- 
ral Carleton,  commanding  all  the  citizens  of  Quebec,  that  would 
not  take  arms  to  defend  the  city,  to  disappear  within  four  days; 
that  if  found  after  that  they  would  be  treated  as  spies.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  order  several  came  out  to  our  army. 

Monday,  27th.  As  the  General  now  approached,  a  detachment 
of  60  men  were  sent  to  escort  him,  while  Captain  Morgan  and 
company  was  ordered  down  the  river  to  the  suburbs  of  Quebec 
to  blockade  the  enemy.  From  this  to  the  1st  of  December  no 
occurrences  of  note.  The  ministerial  ships  returned  to  the  city. 

Friday,  Dec.  1st.  Still  at  Point  Aux  Tremble.  Arrived  some 
of  the  ammunition  from  General  Montgomery's  army.  At  12 
o'clock  two  of  our  ships  appeared  from  Montreal  with  soldiers  on 
board.  Anchored  off  Point  Le  Chappie.  On  board  the  top  sail 
schooner  was  the  General.*  A  division  from  our  little  army  was 
ordered  out  to  receive  him. 

Saturday,  2d.  Weather  very  rainy.  This  day  and  Sunday 
we  were  busily  employed  in  making  ready  to  proceed  down  the 
river  to  Gluebec.  A  division  of  men,  cannon,  &c.,  were  sent 
down  the  river. 

Monday,  4th. — General  orders  for  all  to  decamp,  and  I  hired  a 
Frenchman  with  his  charrioll,  and  proceeded  to  St.  Foys,  from 
thence  to  St.  Charles,  and  took  lodgings  at  Mr.  Burrough's. 

Tuesday,  5th. — I  had  now  orders  to  take  possession  of  the 
General  Hospital  for  the  reception  of  our  sick  and  wounded. 
This  was  an  elegant  building  situate  upon  St.  Charles  river,  half 
a  mile  from  St.  Roque's  gate.  A  chapel,  nunnery,  and  hospital, 
were  all  under  one  roof.  This  building  was  every  way  fit  for 
the  purpose,  a  fine  spacious  ward,  capable  of  containing  fifty 
patients,  with  one  fire  place,  stoves,  &c.  The  number  of  sick 
were  not  very  considerable  at  this  time,  however  they  soon  grew 
more  numerous.  The  Hospital  being  in  an  advanced  part  of 
the  army,  I  did  not  think  it  expedient  to  assume  a  residence 
therein  as  yet.  In  consequence  of  which  I  was  obliged  to  visit 
it  daily  in  open  view  of  the  enemy's  walls,  who  seldom  failed  to 
give  me  a  few  shots  every  time. 

Wednesday,  6th. — The  disposition  of  our  army  was  such  now, 
as  to  environ  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible,  thereby  to  prevent 
any  further  supplies  arriving  to  them,  with  other  necessary  pre- 
parations as  facines,  gabions,  &c.  Nothing  extraordinary  from 

*  Henry's  Campaign,  98.  Meig's  Journal,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  Vol.  2  p. 
289.  (2d  Ser.) 


30 

this  to  the  9th,  except  two  prisoners  being  caught  and  brought 
into  camp  from  St.  L.  R.,  purchasing  up  provisions  forthe  enemy. 
They  had  300  dollars  in  specie. 

Saturday,  9th.— General  order  for  a  number  of  fatigue  men 
for  erecting  a  battery  on  the  heights  of  the  plain,  distant  from 
the  walls  of  the  city  200  yards.  This  was  all  done  in  the  night 
time  when  the  enemy  were  not  apprised  of  it.  In  the  meantime 
Captain  Wool  of  the  artillery  was  ordered  to  proceed  into  St. 
Roques  in  an  advantageous  place  to  heave  bombs  in  the  city. 
This  was  complied  with,  and  I  attended  the  affair.  The  enemy 
immediately  gave  us  a  fire  from  the  ramparts,  whenever  they 
could  bring  their  cannons  to  bear  upon  us.  What  effect  our  fire 
had  we  were  never  able  exactly  to  ascertain,  but  I  believe  noth- 
ing considerable,  as  the  bombs  were  very  small.  The  enemy's 
fire  did  us  no  harm,  except  killing  an  old  Frenchwoman  in  her 
hrodel  administering  a  spirituous  potion  to  one  of  our  lads. 

Sunday,  10th. — The  enemy  spying  our  battery,  opened  a  brisk 
cannonade  of  their  heavy  cannon,  in  order  to  demolish  it,  like- 
wise rushed  out  of  St.  John's  gate  in  the  cover  of  their  cannons, 
burnt  a  number  of  houses,  in  one  of  which  was  a  sick  woman 
consumed.  This  was  a  distressing  circumstance  to  the  poor  in- 
habitants, who  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  houses,  notwith- 
standing the  dire  inclement  season,  and  seek  a  shelter  in  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country,  where  the  humanity  of  the  people 
would  admit  them.  The  view  of  the  enemy  in  this  incineration 
was  to  prevent  our  troops  making  a  lodgment  in  them,  and  faci- 
litating the  operation  of  a  general  storm  upon  the  city,  which  they 
had  too  much  reason  to  apprehend. 

Monday,  llth. — Agreeable  to  prescription,  fifty-five  more  of 
the  fire  pills  were  given  to  the  Carletonians  last  evening.  Ope- 
rated with  manifest  perturbation,  as  they  were  (as  usual)  alarmed. 
Bells  beating,  dogs  barking,  &c.  Their  cannonade  still  continued 
on  the  battery  but  to  no  advantage.  Forty-five  more  pills  as 
cathartic  last  night. 

Thursday,  14th. — The  snow  or  ice  battery  was  finished  last 
night,  it  chiefly  consisted  of  first,  a  laying  of  fascines,  then  snow, 
to  fill  the  interstices.  The  gabions  were  filled  with  earth  and 
snow,  little,  however,  of  the  former,  as  it  was  almost  impossible 
to  procure  any,  as  the  ground  was  very  hard  frozen.  After  the 
fabric  was  sufficient  in  magnificence  to  cement  firm,  large  quan- 
tities of  water  were  poured  thereon.  This  freezing,  soon  formed 
into  a  heterogeneous  body,  not,  howerer,  sufficient  to  repel  the 
monstrous  force  of  their  32s  and  42s,  as  sad  experience  soon 
proved.  While  mounting  the  cannon  this  morn,  a  shot  came 
through  the  battery,  killed  and  wounded  five*  of  the  train.  In 

•  Meig's  Journal,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  vol.  2,  p.  241,  (2d  scr.) 


SI 

all  killed  and  wounded  ten  this  day.     Four  of  whom  were  French- 
men. 

Friday,  15th. — At  the  dawn  of  day  our  battery  opened  upon 
them,  in  which  was  mounted  five  guns,  none  larger  than  12s. 
The  enemy  soon  followed  suit,  and  the  fire  and  refire  was  al- 
most incessant  for  several  hours.  In  the  afternoon  a  flag  of 
truce  attempted  to  go  in,  but  was  ordered  back  immediately,  or 
be  fired  upon. 

Saturday,  16th. — Quit  my  old  lodgings  at  Monsieur  Dorrough's 
and  took  a  room  in  the  nunnery  by  consent  of  the  Lady  Superior, 
Monks,  &c.  The  sacredness  by  which  this  place  was  esteemed 
even  by  Milion's  heterogeneous  banditti,  seemed  to  put  me  out 
of  the  power  of  their  shot  much  more,  than  when  I  visited 
every  day.  However,  I  seldom  failed  to  have  a  shot  every  time 
I  went  from  this  to  any  of  the  officers  quarters.  Cannonade  from 
both  sides,  not  so  severe  as  yesterday.  A  brave  soldier  by  the 
name  of  Morgan  received  a  grape  shot  under  the  lower  edge  of 
the  left  scapula  close  to  the  uxila,  and  went  obliquely  through 
both  lobes  of  the  lungs.  Walked  more  than  a  mile,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  messmate,  into  the  Hospital.  A  superficial  dres- 
sing was  all  that  could  be  done,  as  violent  henoptoi  ensued;  con- 
cluded his  residence  was  not  long. 

Sunday,  17th. — Had  a  very  heavy  snow  storm.  Cannonade 
not  very  heavy.  From  this  to  the  23d  no  occurrences  of  conse- 
quence, except  the  small  pox  broke  out  in  the  army,  and  on  the 
18th  five  were  brought  into  the  hospital. 

Saturday,  23d. — Not  only  the  small  pox,  but  the  pleurisy, 
peripneumonia,  with  the  other  species  of  pulmonic  complaints, 
were  now  very  prevalent  in  the  army.  However,  the  issue  of 
in  all  general  favourable. 

Sunday,  24th. — By  this  time  the  artillery  were  pretty  general- 
ly sick  of  their  ice  battery,  which  they  fatally  experienced  to  be 
too  feeble  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  erected.  The  enemy's 
cannon  being  very  heavy  as  well  as  numerous,  and  as  nigh  as 
necessary,  our  soldiers  were  obliged  to  quit  the  battery.  From 
this  time  the  enemy  began  their  bombarding  our  barracks,  mostly 
under  the  shelving  precipices  of  St.  Roque,  out  of  the  range  of 
most  of  their  cannon,  but  no  considerable  damage  was  done. 

Monday,  25th. — The  enemy's  bombardment  still  continuing 
day  and  night,  that  the  glass  of  the  Hospital  was  much  damaged, 
but  nothing  considerable  to  the  soldiery.  Had  the  variloid  mat- 
ter transfused  into  my  arm  this  day. 

Wednesday,  26th. — Nothing  extraordinary  transpired  this  day. 
The  enemy  continuing  their  discharge  of  bombs,  &c. 

Thursday,  27th. — Preparations  were  made  in  a  manner  as  se- 
cret as  possible  for  the  storming  the  city  in  the  night.  After  all 
things  were  arranged  accordingly,  the  weather  cleared  away 


32 

serene  and  bright,  which  foiled  our  undertaking.  For  a  mark  of 
distinction  each  soldier  was  ordered  to  procure  a  fir  sprig,  and  fix 
it  in  the  front  of  their  caps,  whereby  they  might  be  discriminated. 
Of  this  the  enemy  were  advised  by  some  unaccountable  incident. 
At  this  assemblage  there  were  three  captains  of  companies  who 
were  averse  to  storming,  though  urged  by  the  general.  Their  men 
were  willing,  but  they  obstinately  determined.  Their  names  I 
have  omitted  in  consequence  of  their  better  behaviour.  Upon 
their  declining,  the  general  said  he  would  not  compel  them,  that 
he  wanted  no  persons  with  him  who  went  with  reluctance. 
Several  of  the  men  signifying  their  earnest  desire  of  going  with 
the  rest  of  their  fellows  who  went  through  the  woods.  Upon 
which  I  wrote  a  billit  to  Colonel  Arnold,  desiring  his  permission 
to  head  one  of  the  companies  which  we  then  thought  would  tarry 
behind  in  consequence  [of  the  absence]  of  their  commander. 
Upon  which  I  received  this  upon  the  opposite  side,  which  I  have 
preserved  in  "  perpetuam  rei  memoriam"  for  future  posterity  : 

"DEAR  SIR: — I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  offer,  and 
glad  to  see  you  so  spirited,  but  cannot  consent  you  should  take 
up  arms,  as  you  will  be  wanted  in  the  way  of  your  profession. 
You  will  please  to  prepare  dressings,  &c.,  and  repair  to  the  main 
guard  house  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning  with  an  assistant. 

1  am  in  haste,  yours, 

DOCT.  CENTER.  B.  ARNOLD,  Col. 

27  Dec.  1775." 

The  undertaking  was  postponed  in  hopes  of  a  night  by  it's 
darkness  more  favourable.  The  enemy  were  daily  cleaning  out 
their  ditch  round  the  city  walls,  in  order  to  obstruct  our  ascend- 
ing the  fortification.  From  intelligence  the  enemy  undoubtedly 
expected  us  every  night,  especially  if  thick  and  cloudy,  for  which 
we  were  now  waiting.  In  this  situation  we  held  ourselves  in 
readiness  'till  Saturday  the  31st,  which  was  stormy,  and  increased 
towards  evening.  The  troops  from  the  advanced  post  were  or- 
dered to  Head-Quarters  in  the  night.  The  storm  increased  most 
violently,  wind  northeast,  what  fell  mostly  consisted  of  hail  in  the 
night  though  it  snowed  the  preceeding  day.  The  disposition  of 
the  army  being  made,  they  were  ordered  to  proceed  at  four  in 
the  morning. 

Sunday,  31st.  Head-Quarters  was  at  St.  Foys.  Here  Gene- 
ral Montgomery  kept  Colonel  Arnold,  with  several  more  of  the 
field  officers.  The  arrangements  of  the  army  was  as  follows, 
viz.,  General  Montgomery  on  the  right  wing,  with  the  majority 
of  the  troops  from  Montreal,  &c.  Colonel  Arnold  on  the  left, 
with  his  division  of  "Famine  proof  Veterans."  Colonel  Livings- 
ton's Canadian  Regiment,  to  assault  the  walls  at  St.  John's  gate, 
with  combustibles  for  firing  the  gate,  and  thereby  to  draw  the 


S3 

attention  of  the  enemy  that  way,  and  at  the  same  time  attempt  the 
walls  a  little  distance  with  scaling  ladders,  &c~.  The  place  where 
the  General  was  to  assault,  was  on  the  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
at  the  termination  of  the  city  walls,  and  where  large  piquets  were 
substituted.  For  this  purpose  instruments  were  carried  to  make 
the  breach.  Arnold  was  to  attack  at  the  other  extremity  of  the 
town,  where  he  first  expected  to  be  opposed  by  some  small  bat- 
teries t  efore  he  arrived  in  the  lower  town,  where  the  two  ex- 
tremes were  to  form  a  junction.  To  discriminate  our  troops  from 
the  enemy  in  action,  they  were  ordered  each  officer  and  soldier 
to  make  fast  a  piece  of  white  paper  across  their  caps  from  the 
front  10  the  acme  of  them.  Thus  matters  being  arranged  in  the 
evening,  upon  their  arms  they  lay  'till  4  o'clock  in  the  morn, 
during  which  time  the  General  was  noticed  to  be  extremely  anxi- 
ous, as  if  anticipating  the  fatal  catastrophe. 

Ruminating  in  this  despondency,  back  and  forth  he  traversed 
his  room  'till  the  limited  time  bade  him  go  forth ! 

"  The  dawn  is  overcast,  the  morning  lowr's 
And  heavily  in  clouds  brings  on  the  day, 
The  great,  the  important  day  big  with  the  fate 
Of  Montgomery,  and  his  host." 

The  decree  being  fixed,  and  the  assailants  determined,  though 
gloomy  the  prospect  in  this  tremendous  storm — snow  not  less 
than  six  feet  deep,  while  yet  a  heavy  darkness  pervaded  the 
earth  almost  to  be  felt.  Thus  went  they  on, 

"  Through  winds  and  storms,  and  mountains  of  snow, 
Impatient  for  the  battle.     But,  alas! 
Think  what  anxious  moments  pass  between 
The  birth  of  enterprises,  and  their  last  fatal  periods, 
Oh ! '  tis  a  dreadful  interval  of  time, 
Filled  up  with  honor  all,  and  big  with  death." 

No  sooner  had  they  crossed  that  bloody  plain,  American  Pharsalia, 
than  the  fiery  signal  was  given  for  the  attack-  Montgomery  at 
the  front  of  his  division  forced  his  way  through  the  strong  piquets 
upon  the  precipice  of  the  river  bank. 

"Greatly  unfortunate,  he  fought  the  cause,  -  . 

Of  honor,  virtue,  liberty  and  his  Country." 

But  a  little  way  had  they  entered  ere  a  dire  display  from  the 
whole  extent  of  their  lines  illuminated  the  air,  and  shocked  the 
environs  of  the  city  by  the  tremendous  explosion.  The  discharge 
\ras  kept  up  from  the  whole  extent  of  the  city  walls  incessantly. 
While  fire  balls  where  kept  out  beyond  where  they  supposed  our 
troops  were,  thereby  to  discover  them  between  the  walls  and 
their  ball,  which  burnt  notwithstanding  the  depth  of  snow  with 
amazing  advantage  to  the  enemy.  Not  more  than  an  hour  had 

4* 


34 

the  action  continued  before  the  wounded  came  tumbling  in,  that 
the  grand  ward  was  directly  filled.   They  continued  coming  until 
the  enemy  rushed  out  at  St.  John's  Gate  and  St.  Roque's  suburbs, 
and  captured  the  horses  and  carriages,  [the  men  escaping]  which 
were  employed  in  that  service.     Few  of  the  wounded  escaping 
from  their  hands,  after  the  capture   of  the  horses,  &c.,  except 
those  wounded  slightly.     Daylight  had  scarce  made  its  appear- 
ance ere  Colonel  Arnold  was  brought  in,  supported  by  two  soldiers, 
wounded  in  the  leg,  with  a  piece  of  a  musket  ball.     The  ball  had 
probable  come  in  contact  with  a  cannon,  rock,  stone  or  the  like, 
ere  it  entered  the  leg  which  had  cleft  off  nigh  a  third.    The  other 
two-thirds  entered  the  outer  side  of  the  leg,  about  midway,  and  in 
an  oblique  course  passed  between  the  tibia  and  fibula,  lodged  in 
the    gastroDnnemea   muscle  at  the  rise  of  the  tendon  achilles, 
where  upon   examination  I  easily  discovered    and  extracted  it. 
Before  the  Colonel  was  done  with,  Major  Ogden  came  in  wound- 
ed through  the  left  shoulder,  which  proved  only  a  flesh  wound. 
The  Major  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  we  should  not  be  success- 
ful.   The  fire  and  re-fire  continued  incessant.   No  news  from  the 
General  and  his  party  yet,  which  gave  us  doubtful  apprehensions 
of  their  success.     Not  long  had  we  remained  in  an  anxious  sus- 
pense ere  an  express  came  down  from  the  plain  informing  of  the 
fatal  news  of  the  death,  and  that  the  remainder  of  his  division 
had  retreated  precipitately  back  to  Head-Quarters.     We  were 
also  immediately  advised  of  the  fall  of  Captain  Cheesman,  and 
Mr.  McPherson,  two  gallant  young  officers,  the  former  command- 
ing one  of  the  New  York  Companies,  the  latter  his  Aid-de-Camp. 
To  this  melancholy  news  was  immediately  added  the  capture  of 
Captain  Darby  and  company,  by  a  sortie  of  the  enemy  from  St. 
RoqueVGate,  and   that  the  enemy  were  still  without  the  walls 
advancing  towards  the  Hospital.     We  soon  perceived  this  to  be 
true,  in  consequence  of  which  allthe  invalids,  stragglers  and  some 
few  of  the  artillery  that  were  leu  behind  were  ordered  to  march 
immediately  into  St.  Roque   street  with  a  couple  of  field  pieces 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Captain  Wool,  who  much  distinguished 
himself  on  this  occasion.     He  took  the  advantage  of  a  turn  in  the 
street  and  gave  the  enemy  so  well  directed  a  fire,  as  put  them  to 
flight  immediately.     Notwithstanding  this,  we  were  momentarily 
expecting  them  out  upon  us,  as  we  concluded  Arnold's  division, 
then  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Greene,  were  all  killed, 
captured,  &c.     Under  these  circumstances  we  entreated  Colonel 
Arnold  for  his   own  safety  to  be  carried  back  into  the  country 
where  they  would  not  readily  find  him  when  out,  buttono  purpose. 
He  would  neither  be  removed,  nor  suffer  a  man  from  the  Hospi- 
tal to  retreat.     He  ordered  his  pistols  loaded,  with  a  sword  on 
his  bed,  &c.,  adding  that  he  was  determined   to  kill  as  many  as 
possible  if  they  came  into  the  room.     We  were  now  all  soldiers. 


35 

even  to  the  wounded  in  their  beds  were  ordered  a  gun  by  their 
side.  That  if  they  did  attack  the  Hospital  to  make  the  most  vi- 
gorous defence  possible.  Orders  were  sent  out  into  the  villages 
round  the  city,  to  the  Captains  of  the  militia  to  immediately 
assemble  to  our  assistance.  The  peasants,  however  friendly  dis- 
posed, thought  it  too  precarious  a  juncture  to  shew  themselves 
in  that  capacity,  and  those  nigh  rather  retreated  back  into  the 
country,  than  give  any  assistance.  The  storm  still  continued 
tremendously.  Colonel  Livingston's  Regiment  who  were  em- 
ployed in  firing  St.  John's  Gate  made  the  best  of  their  way  off 
soon  after  the  heavy  fire  began.  Orders  were  dispatched  up  to 
St.  Foy's  for  assistance  from  the  party  who  were  retreated,  who 
assisted  but  little.  An  express  was  sent  off  to  Congress  inform- 
ing of  our  situation,  and  requesting  immediate  assistance.  No 
news  from  Greene's  division  to  be  depended  on.  The  prospect 
was  gloomy  on  every  side.  The  loss  of  the  bravest  of  Generals, 
with  other  amiable  officers  smote  the  breasts  of  all  around  with 
inexpressible  grief.  "  Oh,  Liberty  !  Oh,  virtue  !  Oh,  my  coun- 
try !"  seemed  the  language  of  all. 

January  1,  1776. — All  in  obscurity;  no  intelligence  from  the 
troops  in  the  lower  town.  Some  suggesting  they  were  all  pri- 
soners, &c.,  while  others  imagined  they  were  in  possession  of  the 
lower  town,  and  waiting  for  assistance  to  enter  the  upper  town. 
While  in  this  suspense,  Mr.  Duncan,  a  young  gentleman  volun- 
teer, desired  the  Colonel  would  give  him  liberty  to  attempt  pass- 
ing into  the  lower  town  in  quest  of  the  little  detachment;  received 
orders,  went,  but  no  return. 

Tuesday,  2d.  Major  Meigs  carne  out  of  the  city  on  parole,  by 
whom  we  obtained  a  history  of  the  affair.  That  they  forced  their 
way  into  the  lower  town,  captured  one  captain  and  company. 
That  for  some  time  before  they  got  into  the  city,  their  guns  were 
so  foul,  by  reason  of  the  inclement  weather,  as  scarcely  one  of 
them  could  be  discharged.  That  they  were  obliged,  for  a  consi- 
derable time,  to  fight  their  way  almost  entirely  with  their  lannuts, 
gun  breeches,  &c.  That,  under  every  disadvantage,  they  kept 
the  lower  town  till  nigh  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  in  hopes  of  General 
Montgomery's  assistance,  but  not  finding  [it]  were  obliged  to 
capitulate,  and  surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war,  &c.  Said 
further,  they  were  used  very  well.  Carried  in  the  officer's  cloth- 
ing, &c.  Informed  of  Captain  Hendricks,  Lieut.  Humphreys, 
and  sundry  others  being  slain.  Returned  the  same  day.* 

Wednesday^  3d.  Colonel  Reine.a  French  gentleman,  brevetted 
in  commission  by  Arnold,  and  desired  to  go  down  the  River  St. 
Lawrence  in  order  to  bring  in  Canadians  to  our  assistance,  was 

*  Meig's  Journal,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  vol.2,  p.  243  to  247.  Henry's 
Campaign,  111  to  123. 


S6 

promised  by  the  militia  officers  to  come  in  as  soon  as  possible, 
No  movements  of  the  enemy  this  day. 

Thursday,  4th.  The  enemy  very  still — nothing  of  moment 
transpiring  relative  to  the  troops  on  either  side.  Had  a  heavy 
rain,  unknown  almost  to  the  country  at  this  season. 

Friday,  5th.  Thaw  continuing.  Snow  six  feet  deep.  No  oc- 
currences of  moment. 

Saturday  6th.  The  troops  were  stationed  in  the  most  advan- 
tageous position  for  preventing  the  enemy  making  any  descent 
upon  us.  The  number  I  cannot  exactly  ascertain,  but  imagine 
them  to  be  about  400.  We  had  now  relinquished  the  idea  of 
taking  the  city  by  force  till  a  reinforcement  should  arrive.  Con- 
tented ourselves  with  barely  keeping  up  the  blockade,  and  found 
ourselves  very  happy  and  undisturbed.  We  were,  however, 
alarmed  often  by  their  coming  out  into  the  suburbs,  pillaging 
after  fire-wood,  &c.  They  took  down  any  building  they  could 
come  at  for  that  purpose.  This  occasioned  the  Colonel  to  give 
orders  to  our  troops  to  burn  and  destroy  as  many  of  the  houses 
as  they  would  be  likely  to  obtain,  in  order  to  distress  them,  in 
hopes  they  would  be  obliged  to  capitulate  for  want  of  fire-wood, 
&c.  We,  however,  came  short  in  our  expectations  to  reduce 
them  in  this  way,  notwithstanding  every  house  was  burnt  in  the 
city  suburbs  where  our  troops  could  come  nigh  enough.  From 
this  to  the  18th  of  March  nothing  extraordinary  happening. 
Burning  the  houses  to  prevent  the  enemy's  getting  them  often 
occasioned  slight  skirmishing,  with  various  success,  but  nothing 
capital.  About  this  time  arrived  troops  from  Montreal  to  our 
assistance.  Several  deserters  coming  out,  but  never  able  to 
obtain  a  true  state  of  their  army.  From  this  to  April  the  3d,  no 
occurrences  of  moment..  Troops  coming  up  to  our  relief.  A 
battery  opened  from  Point  Levi  upon  the  city,  but  being  scanty 
of  ammunition  were  allowanced  only  a  few  round  per  day,  just 
to  keep  the  enemy  in  a  continual  alarm.  About  this  time  an 
insurrection  happened  down  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  about  six 
leagues  from  Quebec,  in  consequence  of  some  of  the  enemy's 
emissaries,  joined  to  the  envious  instigations  of  some  of  their 
priests.  They  collected  a  number  of  Canadians,  and  were  march- 
ing up  in  form  to  take  possession  of  our  troops  at  Point  Levi. 
Of  this  the  General  obtained  intelligence,  and  immediately  de- 
tached Major  Dubois,  a  very  brave  officer,  with  a  number  of  men 
to  oppose  them.  The  major  fell  in  with  their  party  upon  sur- 
prise, killed  some,  wounded  others,  (among  the  last  was  a  priest) 
and  captured  a  number  more  and  brought  them  to  Head  Quar- 
ters. Arnold  had  some  time  since  received  a  Brigadier's  com- 
mission, but  being  a  younger  officer  than  General  Wooster,  then 
commanding  at  Montreal,  the  former  was  superseded  by  the 
latter.  General  Arnold  had  so  far  recovered  of  his  wound  ere 


37 

General  Wooster's  arrival,  as  to  be  able  to  ride  a  horseback. 
This  aspiring  genius,  so  much  disgusted  at  being  superseded  at  a 
time  when  he  had  not  only  nearly  recovered  of  his  wound,  but 
was  in  daily  expectation  of  the  enemies  surrendering  for  lack  of 
necessaries.  His  tarry  after  this  was  short.  He  repaired  to 
Montreal,  and  took  the  command  there.  The  22d  of  this  month 
a  battery  opened  from  the  bank  of  Charles  river,  by  the  name  of 
Smith's  battery.  From  this'was  discharged  red  hot  shot,  in  hopes 
of  firing  the  town.  They  returned  the  fire  exceeding  heavy,  but 
but  no  considerable  harm  from  either  side.  Two  of  our  artillery 
men  were  wounded  very  much,  by  the  cartridges  taking  fire  while 
ramming  them  home,  but  recovered  again.  The  enemy  con- 
tinued their  cannonade  and  bombardment  excessive  heavy,  while 
we  were  restricted  to  a  certain  number  per  day,  in  consequence 
of  very  little  ammunition.  There  was  very  little  damage  from 
either  cannon  or  bombs.  Some  wounded,  but  very  few  of  our 
men  killed.  The  reign  of  Wooster  was  but  short,  and  about  the 
5th  of  May  he  was  superseded  by  Gen.  Thomas.  About  this  time 
a  plot  was  formed  to  burn  the  shipping  in  the  harbour.  A  fire 
ship  was  completed  in  charge  of  Adjutant  Anderson,  a  very 
brave  officer,  but  proved  abortive,  by  reason  of  the  tide  ebbing 
before  he  could  get  up  to  the  shipping.  The  combustibles  took 
fire  before  he  intended,  by  which  accident  he  was  much  burnt. 
He  was,  however,  got  on  shore,  and  no  lives  lost.  The  small-pox 
still  continued  in  the  army.  Numbers  of  the  soldiers  inoculated 
themselves,  and  indeed  several  officers,  tho'  contrary  to  orders 
at  this  time.  Scarce  any  of  the  New  England  recruits  had  ever 
had  the  disorder,  and  coming  into  the  army  when  it  was  very 
biief,  gave  apprehensions  of  taking  it  in  the  natural  way,  which 
many  did.  From  this  to  the  sixth  of  May,  no  momentous  occur- 
rences from  either  side,  except  a  report  from  down  the  river, 
brought  us  by  some  of  the  honest  peasants,  that  a  fleet  was  com- 
ing up.  To  this  there  was  not  sufficient  credit  given,  imagining 
it  impossible  for  any  arrival  so  early  in  the  spring.  General 
Wooster  being  superseded  gave  him  great  distress,  and  General 
Thomas  being  an  utter  stranger  in  the  country,  and  much  terri- 
fied with  the  small-pox.  Strongly  neglecting  the  reports  of  the 
approach  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  tho'  repeatedly  attested  to  by 
several  of  the  good  inhabitants,  till  the  morning  of  the  sixth,  when 
we  were  alarmed  by  the  discharge  of  cannon  down  the  river. 
These  were  immediately  answered  from  the  city,  and  at  half  an 
hour  by  sun,  four  ships  arrived  in  the  harbour.  Immediately 
upon  landing  their  marines,  soldiers,  &c.,  they  rushed  out  in 
parties,  the  one  for  Head  Quarters  upon  the  plains  of  Abraham, 
and  the  other  for  the  Hospital  General. 
The  army  was  in  such  a  scattered  condition  as  rendered  it  im- 


38 

possible  to  collect  them  either  for  a  regular  retreat,  or  to  bring 
them  into  action.  In  this  dilemma,  orders  were  given  to  as  many 
of  the  troops  to  retreat  as  the  time  would  permit,  and  in  the  most 
irregular,  heller  skelter  manner  we  raised  the  siege,  leaving  every 
thing.  A1J  the  camp  equipage,  ammunition,  and  even  our  cloth- 
ing, except  what  little  we  happened  to  have  on  us.  Two  of  their 
frigates  proceeded  immediately  up  the  river,  not  only  to  annoy 
us  in  marching,  but  in  quest  of  several  vessels  o'the  fleet  which 
General  Montgomery  brought  from  Montreal.  Wind  and  tide 
favouring  the  enemy's  frigates,  they,  were  very  nigh  within  can- 
non shot  of  ours  before  they  could  get  under  way.  They  hauled 
upon  our  shipping  so  rapidly,  as  obliged  the  captains  to  run  them 
ashore,  and  put  fire  to  them.  They  still  kept  in  chase  of  us  up 
the  river  both  by  land  and  water,  and  in  the  most  disorderly  man- 
ner we  were  obliged  to  escape  as  we  could.  The  detachment 
stationed  at  Point  Levi,  as  well  as  those  at  Chairlebore,  were  not 
apprised  of  a  retreat  till  they  saw  our  troops  quitting  the  ground, 
and  then  they  were  between  the  army  of  us  and  the  enemy. 
That  obliged  them  to  escape  through  the  woods  a  very  great  dis- 
tance before  they  fell  in  with  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  most  of 
our  sick  fell  into  their  hands,  with  all  hospital  stores,  &c.  The 
first  stand  we  endeavoured  to  make  was  at  Point  De  Shombo, 
[Chambaud]45  miles  from  Q,uebec,but  not  being  able  to  collect  pro- 
visions sufficient,  were  obliged  to  abandon  it  and  proceed  up  along. 
The  poor  inhabitants  seeing  we  were  abandoning  their  country, 
were  in  the  utmost  dilemma,  expecting  as  many  as  had  been  aid- 
ing us  every  way  to  be  sacrificed  to  the  barbarity  of  those  whose 
severity  they  had  long  felt,  though  under  the  specious  pretence 
of  civil  government,  which,  in  fact,  had  been  in  essence  nothing 
but  an  arrogant  military  one.  No  provisions  could  be  obtained 
but  by  the  force  of  arms.  No  conveniences  for  ferrying  our 
troops  over  the  rivers  emptying  in  upon  either  side  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  except  a  canoe  or  two,  and  these  were  rare.  By  rea- 
son of  the  spring  flood  which  in  this  country  is  amazing  in  many 
low  places,  the  army  were  obliged  to  travel  a  great  distance 
round  them,  as  the  river  had  overflowed  its  banks  in  many  places 
to  the  distance  of  several  miles.  In  this  perplexed  situation  we 
however  arrived  at  Sorel  about  forty  miles  below  Montreal,  where 
we  made  a  stand  and  collected  our  whole  force,  which  was  not 
very  formidable.  Notwithstanding  several  new  recruits  had  by 
this  time  arrived.  The  small  pox  still  very  rife  in  the  army  - 
new  troops  few  of  them  who  had  had  it.  I  was  ordered  by  Gen. 
Thomas  who  commanded,  to  repair  to  Montreal  and  erect  an  hos- 
pital for  their  reception,  as  well  by  the  natural  way  as  inocula- 
tion. 1  accordingly  made  application  to  General  Arnold,  then 
commanding  in  the  city,  and  obtained  a  fine  capacious  house  be- 


39 

longing  to  the  East  India  Company.     It  was  convenient  for  nigh 
six  hundred.     I  generally  inoculated  a  regiment  at  a  class,  who 
had  it  so  favourable  as  to  be  able  to  do  garrison  duty  during  the 
whole  time.     About  this  time  an  action  happened  up  above  Mon- 
treal   at  the  Cedars,    nine  miles  from  hence  between,  Major 
Shereburne  and  party,  and  a  number  of  savages,  with  one  com- 
pany of  regular  troops.     Shereburne  and  the  chief  of  his  party 
were  taken,  some  few  killed,  &c.     We   were  now  betwixt  the 
two  armies  of  the  foe  under  every  embarrassment  possible,  no 
quantity  of  ammunition,  no  provisions  but  obtained  by  force  of 
arms.     Sorel,  a  low,  unhealthy  place  at  the  entrance  of  the  river 
Chamblee  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  flat  and   almost  upon  a  water 
level.     Land  the  highest  some  distance  back  of  our  fortifications. 
Works  might  easily  be  raised  entirely  overlooking  ours.  A  num- 
ber of  men  about  this  time  detached  to  attack  the  advanced  guard 
at  the  "  Three  Rivers."     These  proved  unsuccessful,  and  Gen. 
Thompson  with  the  chief  of  the  division  were  killed  and  captured. 
Fortune  and  the  country  seemed  jointly  against  us.     Our  prin- 
cipal fortifications  not  tenable  against  an  equal  t?umberif  attacked 
by  land.     Our  prospect  was  still  gloomy.     A  committee  from 
Congress   had  been  in  Montreal  for  some   time  with  a  view  of 
giving  the  money  currency,  but  it  answered  no  purpose.     Gen. 
Thomas  caught  the  natural  small  pox,  sickened  at  Sorel,  was  car- 
ried to  Chamblee   and  died.     Soon  after  this  General  Sullivan 
arrived  and  took  the  command.     Wooster  went  to  Montreal,  and 
Arnold  to  Chamblee.     Enemy  drawing  upon  us  from  every  quar- 
ter, assimilating  the  savages.     Our  army,  weakened  by  the  small 
pox,  and  in  fine  every  movement  against  the  enemy  unsuccess- 
ful, a  retreat' was  ordered  to  St.  John's.     The  troops  according- 
ly evacuated  Montreal  the  9th  of  June.     Soon   after  our  arrival 
here,  it  was  judged  requisite  to  send  the  heavy  artillery  with  all 
the  sick  and  invalids,  &c.,  over  the  lakes  as  soon  as  possible.     I 
left  St.  Johns  the  llth  of  June,  and  proceeded  off  over  the  lakes 
in  an  open  row  boat.    The  remainder  of  the  army  did  not  tarry 
long  before  they  entirely  evacuated  the  country,  and  though  ne- 
cessitated under  the  circumstances  we  then  were,  yet,  it  seemed, 
upon  reflection,  a  strange  series  of  unaccountable  misfortunes,  the 
product  of  various  causes,  but  from  none  more  than  an  unpar- 
donable neglect  either  in  our  commanders,  in  not  giving  Congress 
a  true  representation  of  the  state  of  the  army  from  time  to  time, 
or  if  so  represented  by  them,  the  fault  may  be  sought  for  in  the 
non-aitention  of  the  latter.     Thus  ended  an  expedition  of  nine 
months  continuance,  the  ill  success  of  which  in  any  other  cause 
would  have  induced  us  to  have  renounced  the  principles.  Ahetero- 
geneal  concatenation  of  the  most  peculiar  and  unparalleled  rebuffs 
and  sufferings  that  are  perhaps  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of  any 


JUL  2 1  1989 


40 


nation,  with  so  much  magnanimity,  intrepidity,  &c.,  urged  by  the 
powerful  motives  of  the  expiring  liberties  of  a  once  happy,  but 
now  convulsed  and  tottering  country  ! 


"  'Tis  not  in  mortals  to  command  success, 
But  we've  done  more — we've  deserved  it." 


FINIS. 


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